arguably pink. (both me and my daylilies)

A late night conversation last night revealed I am predictable when given a choice of color.  I always choose pink.  And, as late night conversations go, this revelation sparked an internal discussion with myself about the color pink. 

I have always rebelled against the social notion of being a "girlie girl."  I think I rebel against it because it's what I'm supposed to be according to someone else.  But, for those of you who have known me from grade school and high school and college and post-college existence, know that I am a spoken paradox of bows, earrings, hearts, ruffles, flowers and fluff.  Thank goodness my only child is a son, who helps me channel my tomboyish ways.

Pink is a girlie color.  Without me really knowing, it has also become the prominent color in my daylilies.  (And for the record, my all-time favorite daylilies are not pink and my dream daylilies are not pink, either.  They are screaming-hot-orange and deep, sensual royal purple- hopefully both on the same flower.)

Baby ribbon pink, bubble gum pink, cake icing pink, frosted pink, hot pink, cotton candy pink, dusty pink, carnation pink...these descriptions all evoke a different visual of what pink is.  Pinks are all different, much like the girls who admire its place in the box of 64 Crayolas.  (my favorite is still 'Thistle' which was retired after almost 50 years in the box.)  The first daylily to be introduced and dedicated to me is pink. It is named H. 'Dyna Girl' and can be seen here. Cool flower hybridized by an even cooler guy.  Fitting that it is pink.  Yay!

Many-a-daylily-collector has tried to create a "pink garden."  Notice I say tried.  As much as I love pink, the hues cooperate with one another as well as a gaggle of girls in a small bathroom on prom night. 

Some pinks look blue.  Some look purple.  Some lean grey or red or even beige.  Putting them together in one garden tends to bring out those hidden tones in some not-so-complimentary ways.

Even looking at these four pictures, when viewed together, muddle our collective impression of pink.  One looks more lavender, one looks more salmon, and so forth.  And although beautiful indivisually (my new word - you heard it here first) they are not necessarily pleasing as a foursome.  Which is why we should be aware of the conflicting color energies when placing pinks next to each other in the garden.

According to some gemologists, the quality of energy in pink is determined by how much red is present. White is the potential for fullness, while red helps you to achieve that potential. Pink combines these energies.

Deep, huh? 

Other favorite pinks of mine:

- H. 'Spring Formal'  (a daylily introduction from Dan Trimmer at http://www.watermillgardens.com/

- H. 'Hotta Pinkie' (a daylily introduction from Paul Owen at http://www.slightlydifferentnursery.com/

- 'Hearts and Flowers' (above) found at http://www.daylilyworld.com/

- mostly any of the pinks found at http://www.daylily.com/ (an auction site dedicated to daylilies!)

So, if you are planning on buying me any daylilies for my birthday this Sunday, you know what color to buy.