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Posted on January 12, 2023 by The Art of Ecology

Hibiscus, orchids, and chrysanthemum blooms are always so vibrant and colorful. The color of these flowers are so striking, but what exactly is that color called? This year, Pantone selected Viva Magenta, a reddish hue to be the 2023 color of the year!

Viva Magenta 18-750, vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.

Pantone.com

Where is Viva Magenta found in Nature?

Many flowers and plants have the vibrant hues of Viva Magenta! These colors are are made of a variety of anthocyanin pigments. Anthocyanin pigments (especially found in young tissue) help to boost the plant’s immune system, prevent oxidation in the cells, and also acts as a sunscreen for the plant! On top of those health benefits, many pollinators are attracted to the vibrant reddish-pink. In fact, this is one of a hummingbird’s favorite colors! To discover more about the wonderful world of plant pigments and how pollinators see the world, click here.

In the collage below, I went through my archives and selected my favorites nature photos that highlight Viva Magenta. I will definitely be on the watch in 2023 for this beautiful, bold and uplifting color!

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The Spicebush flowers of spring have given way to large oval shaped leaves and green berries. In the fall, those fruits will ripen into a vibrant red and be a delicious cinnamony sort of flavor, great for all of the autumn-flavored drinks and cookies!
The Evening Grosbeak is a cold-loving bird who forages on cones of pines, spruces, firs, and other native conifers. They prefer mountainous regions and generally stay in northern North America (Canada and Pacific Northwest US). During winter migration, they may venture south, even into northern Pennsylvania, however it's uncommon to spot one of these beauties.
These Jack-in-the-pulpit flowers are bizarrely pollinated. They don't need a ton of flashy color, and sometimes it's hard to spot the flower, and that's because they rely on gnat pollinators, rather than butterflies or bees, who use flashy colors to figure out which flower they'll like.
While Spoonbill Sandpipers are not natives to North America (they migrate along the Pacific Coast of Russia into southeast Asia), we do have other types of spoonbills that are so named for their uniquely shaped bill that scoops food out of watery sand. Our native Roseate Spoonbill actually has a small migration, if they move at all. Migration is not necessarily triggered by temperature, but by access to food resources (which can be impacted by temperature among other things). The Roseate is more impacted by changing water levels which can put food out of reach, or dry the food out!
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