My wife tells me the purple flowers are called umbrella flowers, though when I do a search, I find that there are many types of flowers called the "umbrella flower." I would never challenge the authority of my wife. Nor would I challenge the authority of Nature - who provides such photo opportunities as this one.
Yes, there is a slight blur applied to this photo. Before digital, I could get the softening effect by putting cellophane over the lens or by just using a really dirty lens. Now I have photoshop. Yes, it's a manipulation of reality. But, if you ask me, all perception involves some kind of manipulation of reality. And photography is highly manipulative. The photographer picks what you see and how you see it. Can you get your eyes to blur the background like my 70-200mm lens does in this photo?