Magenta for bougainvilleas

“What does magenta look like?” It was the five year old.
“Something like pink and purple mixed”, I said, “let me show you.”
I took him to the bougainvillea and let him pluck a handful. He was thrilled, and even took the ‘flowers’ to school the next day.

I could have corrected him. Told him that they were not flowers, but varicoloured leaves. That flowers are actually tiny and white, and are almost invisible. But I did not. Time enough for that when he is older. For now, I’m just happy that he too loves one of my favourite plants.