I used my camera instead of the ipad to photograph today's post which I think gives a more accurate rendition of the colour. I have used a masking fluid to keep the stamens white until the petal is complete and then work on the stamens separately. The flowers vary in colour which is intensified when in shadow, but I think that this is what will help to make the flowers recognisable for what they are. With azaleas, there are

marks on some of the petals which resemble shadows from the stamens but they are blemishes which ape the shapes. I guess that this is natures way of maximising the attraction of insects for pollination.