And I will start with a cheat since I am not in New England as is perhaps obvious by the size of the mountains.

(Oops - I posted this on the November thread without paying attention)

I don't usually see dramatic sunsets because of all the trees to the west, but tonight there was just a glimpse out my kitchen window with the deciduous leaves down.

It got a little pinker,

and then it was gone.

Claire

Claire, I love the contrast of the stark white and black with the warm pinks.

and I was quite late getting the December thread up.

I love the way different plants gather snow differently based on structure.

In order: Forsythia, Fothergilla, large leafed Rhododendron, and tall garden Phlox.

Lovely snow pictures, NHBabs - that's what New England is supposed to look like in the winter. I see the rhododendron leaves are all curled up in disgust.

No snow here and the ground is bare again. This is not unusual for coastal MA and I rely on evergreens, particularly holly, and berries to relieve the relentless brown and black winter view.

The winterberry berries are mostly eaten now by the robins. Just a few left and they should go soon.

The other day I noticed the robins were gathered on the Ilex crenata shrubs and noshing on those berries. The berries are black so it's not easy to see them - not a problem for birds. The hollies are filling in that corner of the yard nicely.

Ilex crenata berries - it helps to squint a little to see them:

No one seems to be interested in the Ilex opaca 'Goldie' berries yet. They'll probably last until March or thereabouts.

It's hard to see the yellow berries when I photograph the whole tree. I include this picture to show the scale. That tree is getting big! The second one would have been the same size if a major piece of pine hadn't fallen on it a few years ago (it's recovering).

A closeup shows the berries well.

Cotoneaster and Carolina rose berries are still around.

The temperature is about 50 degrees now, no doubt confusing a lot of plants. I have two witch hazels that have developed buds but don't seem to have any intention of flowering yet.

Claire - glad not to have to shovel snow but I'd like to see some more consistent weather.