The Ugly Stepsister – The Floral Edition

Tropical bird of paradise

Sometimes, life isn’t fair. Especially when nature hasn’t endowed you with any noticeable outward beauty. What makes it worse is that you are a flower and are supposed to be pretty.

What makes it worse is that you are a flower and are supposed to be pretty

What makes it worse, is when you are compared to your ‘sister’ who is drop-dead gorgeous. 

Vibrant colors and exquisite shape

Imagine having to stare at her vibrant colors and exquisite shape all day long?

Beautiful tropical bird of paradise bloom

It doesn’t matter which angle you use, there is no improving your outward appearance. So you decide to concentrate on inner growth and decide to be the best flower you can be on the inside.

*When I spotted this forlorn flower next to its spectacular companion, I immediately thought of the story of the ‘ugly stepsisters’ from Cinderella – one who is having a ‘bad hair’ day. 

In actuality, this bedraggled flower used to be a beautiful tropical bird of paradise bloom (like its companion), but its lifespan is nearing an end and it will soon be clipped off. 

I hope you enjoyed the floral edition of the ‘Ugly Stepsister’.

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Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."