Colors play an important role in the plant kingdom. They help attract pollinators, identify poisonous species, and adapt to environmental conditions. When it comes to brightly colored flowers, there are many options to choose from. In this article, we will explore some of the most vibrantly pigmented blooms and why they exhibit such radiant hues.
What Makes a Flower Brightly Colored?
The brilliant colors found in flowers are produced by pigments. Some of the main pigments are:
- Anthocyanins: These water-soluble pigments produce blue, purple, and red colors.
- Carotenoids: These fat-soluble pigments produce yellow, orange, and red colors.
- Betalains: These water-soluble pigments produce red and yellow colors.
Flowers contain specialized cells called chromatophores that synthesize and store pigments. The types and combinations of pigments, along with cell structure, determine the final color we see.
Flowers that appear brightly colored to human eyes are trying to stand out to attract pollinators. Their vivid hues serve as visual cues that say “Come pollinate me!” These colors also indicate that the flower has nutritious nectar rewards to offer.
Brightly Colored Flowers
Many species showcase flowers with stunning, saturated colors. Here are some of the brightest:
Dutch Irises
Native to Spain and Portugal, Dutch irises come in a rainbow of colors like yellow, gold, blue, purple, bronze, and black. Intense breeding programs have created cultivars with petals exhibiting rich, deep colors with a silky texture.
Pincushion Flower
The pincushion flower, also called scabiosa, is a annual or perennial in the honeysuckle family. The ball-shaped blooms sit atop long slender stems. Popular varieties have fully double flowers in shades of blue, pink, purple, white, and yellow.
Gerbera Daisies
Gerbera daisies originate from South Africa and come in a range of bright jewel tones. The large, pom pom-like blooms have striking centers of tiny, delicate petals tinted dark black, brown, or green. These fun daisies add pops of color to gardens and flower arrangements.
Marigolds
Marigolds are easy to grow annuals that bloom abundantly in bold yellows, oranges, and reds. Popular varieties include Signet marigolds with edible petals and African marigolds that can grow over two feet tall with large, vibrant pom pom blooms.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers turn their bright yellow flower heads to follow the sun across the sky. Their cheery color symbolizes happiness, optimism, and warmth. Growing up to 12 feet tall, giant sunflower varieties showcase flower heads over 1 foot wide.
Zinnias
These easy to grow annuals come in a rainbow of colors including red, orange, yellow, white, purple, pink and lime green. Popular varieties include giant dahlia flowered zinnias, vibrant colored Queen series, and bi-color blooms.
Dahlias
Dahlias feature showy flowers that can measure over 12 inches across. Blooms come in all colors except blue and exhibit various forms like pompons, cactus, and anemone. There are over 20,000 cultivars to collect and grow.
Chrysanthemums
Also known as mums, these flowering perennials come in a huge range of shapes, sizes, and colors. Football mums feature big, 5-inch blooms that open flat to reveal a wide palette of rich hues like burgundy, purple, orange, yellow, and more.
Cosmos
This easy to grow annual lights up gardens with flowers in pink, rose, magenta, white, crimson, and yellow. Different varieties range in height from 1 to 4 feet tall. The bright colors attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
Pelargoniums
Commonly known as geraniums, pelargoniums feature clusters of small flowers in vivid shades of red, pink, purple, orange, white, and bi-colors. There are over 280 species, with zoning from 4 to 10 depending on the variety.
Petunias
A summer garden favorite, petunias bloom continuously in bright, bold colors all season long. Varieties include solid colors, stripes, speckles, veins, and multicolored blooms. Trailing varieties work beautifully in containers and hanging baskets.
Begonias
Many begonia varieties feature extravagant blossoms in brilliant colors. Wax begonias and dragon wing begonias show off shiny blooms in red, pink, orange, yellow, white and bicolored combinations.
Roses
Although roses are prized for their elegant, soft hued blooms, there are varieties that showcase rich, saturated colors. Options include bright yellow roses, vivid orange roses, hot pink and fuchsia roses, even blue roses through breeding and horticultural techniques.
Lilies
Several lily species produce big, showy blooms in electrifying colors. Varieties include Asiatic lilies in shades of pink, orange, yellow, white, and red. LA hybrids exhibit a wider color range with deep purple, fuchsia, cream, and more.
Irises
Bearded iris varieties present flowers in stunning combinations of purple, pink, orange, yellow, blue, burgundy, white, and bi-colors. Siberian irises offer smaller blooms in shades of blue, purple, white, pink, and burgundy.
Gladioli
The sword-like leaves of gladiolus give way to spires of bloom in an endless array of colors. Blooms exhibit saturated hues in all shades of purple, pink, yellow, orange, red, white, cream, salmon, burgundy, and chartreuse.
Bougainvillea
Although technically a vine, bougainvillea exhibits showy bracts that function like flower petals. Colors include bright fuchsia, purple, red, orange, white, yellow, and combinations thereof. They add vibrant color in warm winter climates.
Why Flowers Developed Bright Colors
Flowers evolved to be brightly colored for a few key reasons:
- Attract pollinators – The vibrant colors and patterns act as sign posts for pollinators like birds, bees, butterflies, bats, and more. They serve as bulls-eye visual cues guiding pollinators right to the flower’s nectar and pollen rewards.
- Temperature regulation – Darker pigmented flowers can absorb heat, allowing them to warm up faster in cool conditions. Lighter flowers reflect sunlight, helping prevent overheating.
- Stand out – Bright blooms contrast sharply against green foliage. This helps them get noticed by passing pollinators.
- Indicate maturity – Some flowers transition from pale to brighter colors. This change communicates to pollinators that the reproductive parts are mature and ready for pollination.
- Deter pests – Pigments called anthocyanins that produce red, blue, and purple hues may help defend plants against fungi, bacteria, viruses, and insects.
Conclusion
Flowers showcase a spectacular range of bright, saturated colors. Vibrant blooms act like natural billboards broadcasting “Open for pollination!” Their dazzling hues attract beneficial insects and other pollinators. When designing a garden full of radiant color, there are endless options like gerbera daisies, zinnias, gladiolus, dahlias, and more. Just be sure to provide plenty of nectar and pollen sources to keep those pollinators well fed and happy!