Thanks you very much for your responses and interest in helping me solve this mystery. The Ornamental Pear doesn't bear fruit that I can see. I see the cherries on the Ornamental Cherry tree because they're Robin favorites for eating. We've thought and thought about what's changed in the last few years. The only thing that's changed in that spot is my father had to have a new septic tank installed on the far side from 2 trees right next to the Pear tree 3-4 years ago. They weren't sure they could save the tree but were able to cut a minimal amount of roots/limbs off one side to dig and install the new tank. The tree didn't show any set back the next year or since. They were especially careful about saving the tree. I'm assuming the tree roots have grown into the septic area. I also assume something in what roots now take up from soil around is different in nutrient content. I'm ignorant about biology of how that would effect color of blooms but must assume both digging and septic installation changed soil structure and soil composition/texture around the tree. That septic installation could be the obvious answer to changes in the tree even as far as blossom color. Can't think of another environmental change that's occurred. You ask when trees were fed. I'm assuming my father fed them when they were planted in 1979 and maybe a few years after that. I don't think they've been "fed" in many a year. Tops of these trees exceed height of second floor roofline and their combined expanse is 2/3 entire length of main part of 2 story colonial. I don't have a camera and if I did I wouldn't know how to post them. Now that the rain has removed most of the blossoms guess I'll have to wait for next year to see if color change returns. Wouldn't want to do anything to damage the tree itself by experimenting on a 29 year old tree. Well, thank you again for your responses. It was very kind of you to share your experience.

I have not seen Pride of Madeira for sale where I am (inland UDA zone 9b, Sunset 15). I am looking at Sunset Western Gardening Book now - "biennials or shrubby perennials. Striking form and flower clusters. All take full sun, do well in dry poor soil, but need good drainage. All are excellent for seacoast gardens. Very drought tolerant in zones 15-17, 22-24. Attract bees. Flower spikes can be killed off by spring frosts in inland areas". PoM is Echium fastuosum. Coastal climate here is cool summers and very mild frost-free winters. I agree with windeaux that it is probably very difficult to find another area suitable for growing it. Masha

I have a LOT of these on my south facing, frying hot, cut slope, crummy clay soil hillside where the only things that survive are plants too mean and stupid to die. I started off with 4 1 gallon plants. One died. The others set seed. A lot. The seedlings are now covering most of a 1/4 acre hill. I do nothing other than deadhead the flower spikes. They seem to be relatively short lived (5-10 years), they sprawl, they occasionally lose a whole branch that never comes back, they are a local stop for migrating butterflies, they are gorgeous (I started with 3 blue plants and the seedlings are breeding true). In short, my experience is to neglect them!

I'm afraid that every red flower I have dried turns dark no matter how you dry it, silica or hanging upside down. There is a rose that I found in a flower shop called "Mercedes" that is more dark orange that does dry red.