Continuous Bloom: Think Pink April 21, 2014

Welcome to my Monday post, today I am linking with-

Blue Monday hosted by Smiling Sally

I Heart Macro hosted by Laura

Macro Monday 2 hosted by Gemma Wiseman

Mandarin Orange Monday hosted by Lorik

Nature's Footsteps/Catching Light meme hosted by Nature's Footsteps Inspiring Photography

First a peek at what my camera could manage of the total eclipse of April 15, 2014, first of a tetrad of total eclipses coming up this year and next, a prophetically significant event.   I couldn't see the second half of the eclipse when the light was returning because of clouds-

Some flower colors that go beautifully with pink, the true blue of Gentiana angustifolia from the Hortlandia sale, see the post on blue flowers in my garden as well-

The bright orange of Geum 'Totally Tangerine'-

In my quest for Continuous Bloom, I have found pink to be an ubiquitous flower color shade, most involving various degrees of magenta, which pigment in flowers is derived from anthocyanin, a flavonoid that actually has antioxidant health benefits as a color pigment in purple fruits.  Carotenoids can add  yellow or orange shading.  Some yellow roses, as well some white flowers such as Anemone nemorosa, build up magenta as they fade, to see the white stage and some wild pink flowers, go here-

My native white Trillium ovatum also turns magenta pink to purple, I love the clumps, which are like big bouquets, originally April 7-

And now-

The small ground cover Bellis perennis, usually white, sometimes with magenta as well on the 1/2" 1.5cm daisy-like flowers, on creeping plants that multiply slowly-

The delicate blooms of the wonderful ground cover Geranium macrorrhizum are blooming now, this evergreen conifer-scented plant spreads incredibly in dry shade-

Daphne 'Lawrence Crocker' also blooms pink, it remains a small rounded shrub after 12 years, with deep green glossy leaves that look good year round, here with my late Anemone nemorosa 'Vestal'-

The next big bloom machine is my yard are the Columbines, coming soon, which spread by self-sowing and can be double or single, tall or dwarf.   Here is a bud, typical Columbine spurs at the top-

And here is a pink double that is opening now-

I hope those of you in the Northeast US will soon recover from the grip of unseasonable cold weather and be able to enjoy your long-awaited spring.     Hannah

                                                                     or cameras are macro

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