A Most Unusual December

I'm writing this just about 10 hours before the New Year changes the calendar page to 1/1/2016.

In Western North Carolina we have had a very interesting final few weeks of 2015.  The air temperature has been extremely mild, with quite a few days that felt almost summery.  We have flirted with historic high temperatures, only missing them by a degree or two according to the experts who keep such records.  Additionally, we have had a lot of rain, which in the last week or so has caused some local flash floods and road closures.

I thought I would just share with you a few things I see in my yard which makes late December look more like spring than winter.

 First of all, this is the magnolia tree across the street from us.

 Then we have a small pussy willow bush in our back garden.

And the hellebores under our back deck are trying to open some flowers.

On the slope you can see some color in the azaleas.

And finally, we have this plant/bush in the nook between our deck extension and the stairs, a very shaded spot.  At the suggestion of BB Barnes, we planted a tiny cluster of twigs which turned into a rather large bush which is thriving there.  I can't remember the name of the plant, but it certainly filled up the area.

In the fall it sets these grayish caps that point downward and then in spring we hardly notice it when it blooms because the blossoms are facing downward.  Right now it is very fragrant and drawing the attention of a lot of bees.

I was delighted to capture it in bloom, even if it is not the correct season for it to be happening.

I lifted a branch to get this next shot.

Each of the flower clusters is about an inch and a half in diameter.  Rather interesting, don't you think?

Who knows what this strange weather has done to the plants.  It is possible our lawn will need to be mowed again.  Maybe these plants which blossomed in December will be too stressed to provide much of a show come spring.  I guess we will find out! 

Meanwhile, Happy New Year!