Enjoying the coral-colored brilliance of the annual pomegranate blossoms

With the close of May comes the bloom of the pomegranate bush. And it doesn't matter how many years I witness it, the color of the bright coral blossoms never ceases to intrigue and delight me. I left the photos for this post as close to SOOC ("straight out of camera") so I could share their brilliant hue.

As they mature, the ruffly petals of the pomegranate blossoms flutter down onto the pond below and float like brightly colored confetti left over from a party I just missed--nature's confetti.

The bush always produces far more buds than it can turn into mature fruit so some of the waxy-based blooms fall off along with the petals. I find the vivid stars in nooks around the pond. A few end up on my bench where I often sit and meditate wishing that a hummingbird would come and sip on the blooms that are still attached on the boughs just over my head.

I often get my wish.

My hummingbird friends, along with the other pollinators that frequent the garden, are helping the pomegranate do its job of producing fruit. By autumn, the waxy bases of the blooms that have remained on the bush will have ballooned to hold hundreds of rubies filled with tart pomegranate juice. 

For now I am content with enjoying the profusion of the tropical-looking flowers that make me smile.