I have always found the imperfection and charm of fading blooms more appealing than their peak blossoming counterparts. In full bloom, this hot pink peony in my garden was eye catching for sure, but as the brilliant colour began to fade and the petals fell one by one, an enchanting beauty began to emerge. Bathed in the afternoon sun against a backdrop of shaded foliage, the waning peony was shown to its best advantage. Finally, fully revealed, the golden stamens threw a swirl of interlacing shadows on the few remaining, gracefully extended petals.