Boulder does not keep it secret that flower color combinations always look amazing! Are these ongoing happy accidents of nature? NO! Nature has a plan based upon everything from bio-diversity to pollinator eye appeal.

Complimentary colors yellow and purple are everywhere including in flowers. But why?

Flower color combinations within a single flower always look great due to a few key factors rooted in nature and evolutionary biology. Flowers have evolved over millions of years to attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds. To achieve this, flowers have developed color patterns that are visually appealing and easily recognizable by these pollinators.

1. Natural Harmony: Colors in flowers often follow natural harmony and complementary color schemes found in nature. For example, many flowers use contrasting colors, like yellow and purple or red and green, which are opposite each other on the color wheel. This natural balance makes the colors pleasing to the human eye as well.

2. Pigmentation: The pigments responsible for flower colors, such as anthocyanins, carotenoids, and chlorophyll, combine in ways that create vibrant and harmonious color patterns. These pigments can produce a wide range of hues, from deep blues and purples to bright yellows and reds, often blending seamlessly to create stunning visual effects.

3. Pattern and Symmetry: Flowers frequently display symmetrical patterns that are inherently attractive. The symmetry, coupled with the radial or concentric arrangement of petals and colors, creates a balanced and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

4. Pollinator Attraction: The coloration of flowers is also optimized for visibility and attractiveness to specific pollinators. For instance, bees can see ultraviolet light, and many flowers have UV patterns that guide bees to their nectar. These patterns, invisible to humans, add another layer of complexity and beauty to the flower’s appearance.

5. Human Perception: Lastly, the human brain is wired to find certain color combinations appealing. This is due to both cultural conditioning and biological factors. Warm colors like reds, oranges, and yellows often evoke feelings of warmth and happiness, while cooler colors like blues and purples can be calming and soothing. The combination of these colors in a single flower can thus elicit a range of positive emotional responses.

In essence, the beauty of flower color combinations lies in the intricate interplay of evolutionary adaptation, pigment chemistry, natural harmony, and human perception, creating a visual symphony that delights the eyes and attracts the necessary pollinators for the plant’s survival.

As we take time to smell the roses, we must also take the time to look at the natural beauty that surrounds us.

Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Shared Knowledge Is Power!

Leonard Frieling Pen Of Justice Legal Blogger

• Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
• Former Judge
• Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
• NORML Distinguished Counsel Circle
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee
• Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
• Media work, including episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
• LEAP Speaker, multi-published author, University lectures Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels.
• http://www.Lfrieling.com