The Allure of Beauty and Innocence

Too Shy to Face the Spotlight

Never underestimate the power of beauty and attraction. My love of flowers is perhaps genetic. I come from a family of English gardeners, though I do not possess a green thumb. Fortunately, I live in a place where beautiful flora is abundant in the wild. I did however venture to Bullington Gardens recently, after two fellow photographers went and raved about the Dahlias. They are such beautiful flowers and I think what speaks to me is how their gorgeous multi-colored petals open up to receive the light yet they keep the centers of their crowns curled in, as if to protect the light within. I find there is always such a balance between opening up and shining our light while keeping a flame of our inner fire burning and protected, so that the light within keeps leading us no matter what the conditions are in the outer world.

Protecting the Fire Within

The flowers do not smell, but their bright colors attract insects. There were lots of honey bees and monarchs drawing sustenance from these gorgeous flowers. These insects also help the dahlias by aiding in their reproduction and help the rest of the plants nearby with cross-pollination, which contributes to greater fruit and seed production. Flora and fauna are working together and they do not limit the help they assistance they offer to just themselves. As a species, we humans need to learn how to work together and cooperate, instead of focusing on our differences and creating categories of “others.”

The image below is of a goldenrod soldier beetle. These insects are generally beneficial to plants since they feed on pollen, as well as aphids, small caterpillars, or other plant pests. They don’t chew the flowers, so naturalists say they should be encouraged and not eliminated. An interesting fact about them is that they find flowers to be a wonderful place for mating and feeding, and sometimes they do both at the same time! They are totally harmless to humans as well.

Goldenrod Soldier Beetle

Dahlias are one of the showiest flowers and I love their brightly coloured curved petals. Although this one has opened quite wide and may be at the peak of its time to blossom, the flower still has petals closely grouped around its core. I love the contrast within the flowers of being open and closed at the same time.

Letting the Inner Light Out

It is not just the colors that are attractive about Dahlias though. Their structure is quite appealing, especially the semi-cactus dahlia, which has double blossoms and gently curved ray florets that are wide at the base and taper outward as they gently curve inward. The overall appearance is both spiky and soft. These flowers make me think that it is possible to be strong and gentle at the same time and that neither of these characteristics are mutually exclusive. Sometimes, it is important to stand up for our beliefs and have integrity, but we don’t need to succumb to insults or harsh behaviour to have our message heard.

Semi-cactus Dahlia

I hope you enjoy looking at these flowers as much as I did. When we see something of exceptional beauty, it is easy to spend time studying whatever it is. I believe all of nature has lessons to teach us. And of course, as Matisse said, “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” Dahlias always fill me with joy and hope, and I feel we all need a dose of that right now.