The Darkest Day

Today, the winter solstice, marks the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.  Tomorrow the daylight will begin it's incremental increase.  Although the coldest days of the year are yet to come as the solstice marks the official beginning of winter, it's heartening to know that the light's return brings with it the promise of spring.  On this darkest day,  a saunter through the cold garden to find signs of new life warms this gardeners cold dark heart.

First, here are a few things that are still clinging to the glory of the year past. It's been a relatively warm autumn and the tetrapanax buds haven't given up hope.  I fear the predicted spate of freezing nights may nip these but some are in a bit of a warmer area so there's a bit of hope for a flower or two this year. Frost has always won this battle but maybe this year...

Despite some evenings in the high 20's the hardy banana is still green.  This might be a record late date for this plant.







Winter flowering Stachyurus praecox is just now shedding it's leaves and soon will be covered with flowers.






Hard to see in this picture but while the last few leaves still cling to Corylus avellana 'Contorta,'  catkins have covered the outer branches and will soon flutter in the breeze like dangly earrings.