My blog (like many others) is mostly a collection of ‘Ooh, shiny!’ moments. That’s Andrea’s term for “diversions, distractions and delightful detours”. Things that make me pause to pay more attention that I photograph and share, hoping you’ll be willing to pause for them too.
Like these hydrangea flowers. I’m not talking about the pink bits we think of as petals that are, technically, modified sepals, but the tiny blue flowers I hadn’t really noticed until they were pointed out. While the modified sepals (a catchy term – I can’t think why it never caught on) are long lasting, the small flowers only open briefly. Even more of a reason for us to miss them.
Lacecap hydrangeas, such as the star striped beauty below, have a cluster of small flowers in the middle, with a few more in the centre of the florets that seem to float on their outer edges.
The strange thing is, once we’ve seen them, our perspective changes. I wonder how long it will be before I find myself face to face with a hydrangea plant in full bloom again without taking a moment to look for the tiny flowers I’ve overlooked for so long? And now I see the colourful sepals for what they are: nature’s advertisement hoardings that call out “Look, shiny!” to draw in pollinators who might otherwise pass on by.
Shared for this week’s photo challenge, with thanks to my sweetheart who pointed the true flowers out.
Susan Rushton 
Beautiful !!!
Thank you!
Isn’t it though? Once we experience something even once, our perpective changes at least in the slightest way.
I’ve started to see the similarity between hydrangeas and hellebores and I’m sure I’d never have made the connection before.
That’s so interesting…one of the similarities that I’ve noticed is the shape of their petals are pretty similar
Beautiful and instructive! What a combination!
Thanks, Laurie. I’m glad you liked it.
I can only think ‘Beautiful’, too
Beautiful does the trick. The second hydrangea seems particularly fine.
So beautiful!
Thank you. I thought so too!
Beautiful. I will always look at hydrangeas a little more closely. My grandmother had beautiful hydrangeas and every time I see one, I think of her.
I think Mama (my maternal grandmother) may have had them too but it’s roses I associate with her.
I always enjoy your flowers so! I live in a dry, neutral-colored area and relish the bright colors you bring to my screen. 👍
I appreciate your kind comment, Lisa. That’s lovely to hear.
But the little blue flowers also grow in between the pink parts on stems of their own?
Yes, that’s right.
Wow – hydrangea are my favorite flowers and I’ve never seen a center. Must check it out with my next bunch!!
I hope you find one.
Who knew? Not me! Beautiful – I too will look more closely next time.
It’s probably more common not to find them – brace yourself for a little floral hide-and-seek!
Flower within a flower. So pretty!
An extra helping, you might say. I love seeing the hose within a hose primroses.
Must look harder! Thanks for pointing these out.
I wonder why I’d never seen them before too.