2015 Fall Flame-out

Winter is here.The new year has begun with typical dreary skies and monochromes around the garden, but less than a month ago the 2015 fall flame-out occurred, with spectacular Japanese maple colors, like the grand finale of a fireworks display. Here are photos taken the first two weeks of December, before wind and rains and cold temperatures stripped the limbs bare. It is something to remember!

While the leaves were expiring in glory, I found this ghost of a fuchsia:

And these hardy begonia seed-heads:

Compare this very recent view toward the woodland garden (with Feelin' Blue Deodar Cedar in the foreground) to similar views above, taken earlier in December:

Welcome winter, and Happy New Year!