Blue and not so blue

I was entranced by this blue stemmed sea holly in one of the planters at the harbour. As is my wont, I searched the internet for the reason but failed to come up with any clear explanation but it seems the plant, which in nature grows in exposed coastal situations, may employ a protective waxy coating which reflects the light in the blue part of the spectrum.

Extra pic is Mrs Burford, the senior hen of our small flock (only three now since two were captured by a sick fox which subsequently died not far away). Her breathing has sounded very laboured for quite some time.I thought she had gape worm [don't look it up, it's not nice] and treated her for that about six months ago but recently she's sounded much worse. Took her to the vet where she crouched motionless on the examination table as if to indicate "this isn't happening". She doesn't have gape worm but she might have a respiratory infection... but it's complicated in birds the vet explained. 
"The avian respiratory system is different from that of other vertebrates, with birds having relatively small lungs plus nine air sacs that play an important role in respiration (but are not directly involved in the exchange of gases)." 
Anyway, he gave her an injection and prescribed some pills, a quarter to be administered morning and evening. Not the easiest task, even he had some difficculty.

On returning home Mrs B flopped over and her wing trailed... I wondered if she'd had a stroke. Next morning she could only lurch and hobble:  I thought she was a goner - chickens aren't very resilient. But her appetite remained healthy (good sign!) and after a couple of days in seclusion she's back to normal.

(And I solved the pill-popping problem by crushing the quarter tablet and inserting the powder into raisins - works a charm!)