In article , Sacha
writes
Another 'funny old year' moment - snowdrops which don't usually show until
much later, are already poking through the grass in some areas. OTOH, a
climbing 'Iceberg' rose is still budding and flowering, some valerian is in
flower, and so are quite a few other things that should really be having
their winter snooze. And Mahonia bealei is flowering its socks off, as is
another much taller Mahonia I can't remember the name of.

The downside of all this is that we never quite finished our autumn!
Lots of trees were still in full leaf when the frosts his, and instead
of going the usual gorgeous colours, their leaves have been frosted and
are hanging like limp dishrags. The garden's a bit of a mess atm - I'll
be glad when winter proper comes and all these limp things are replaced
by the bark colours.
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"