TRUE BLUES

Blue in nature is always striking. Is it something to do with the sky above (that is, when you can see it in our climate!)? These delphiniums stand tall in the garden at Ardardan Farm.

Their blue hue comes from the plant pigment delphinidin (which also gives the blue-red color of the grape that produces Cabernet Sauvignon, and can be found in cranberries and Concord grapes).

Another blue flower beloved of plant hunters is the Blue Himalayan Poppy, Mecanopsis. I took this photo a couple of weeks ago in Sue and Mike's garden, Glenarn here at Rhu.

People have been trying for centuries to do create a blue rose. (Delphinidin is not found in roses.) With the identification of genes, nowadays, they must be getting close it achieving this.

In the meantime, here is one. No prizes for guessing how it came about!