…… not that you would guess it from the unseasonable blue skies and sunshine we have been blessed with today, unlike the wet and windy north west extremes of the UK and those parts of the northern hemisphere who already have snow. The stems of Sarcococca humilis, hung with clusters of tiny green buds, suggest though that we are indeed on the slippery slope to the end of the year as they prepare to open and diffuse their distinctive perfume into the nearby corners of the garden.
Not looking as promising but still seasonal is the variegated holly, dotted with barely a dozen or so berries and therefore unlike previous years before we gave it a serious haircut. I could only gaze open-mouthed at next door’s unpruned holly, smothered with more berries than you would need for a lifetime of Christmas wreaths and garlands:
Cutting back spent stems and leaves on some plants has revealed fresh new growth on others. Can anyone provide answers to these : I am sure the lost-label plant on the left is an artemisia but not what sort, and will the green leaves on the ophiopogon turn black or should I dig this part of the clump out?
Rambling in the Garden 
Can’t help on the plant front I’m afraid, though you must have a severe case of holly berry envy, I know I would.
The first day of December is always memorable for me Cathy as it’s our wedding anniversary. The sun did make an unexpected appearance albeit not until this afternoon but it was still most welcome. What a richness of berries – perhaps your neighbour will be kind enough to share 🙂
Not sure what will happen to the ophiopogon – have never seen that before,
Oh, congratulations Anna – did you do anything special? It is a birthday week for me, so we share early December celebrations!
I don’t think the ophiopogon will turn black, I think it has reverted to the species type. I like the green form but not so close the special black ones.
Thanks Christina, that’s what people seem to be saying about the ophiopogon, so I shall separate them out I think.
Next doors holly is absolutely amazing, will you be able to trim your side of it for your decorations?! Maybe your ophiopogon has seeded and that is why it has come up green, none of my black ones have reverted.
I would need very long arms to reach next door’s holly as it isn’t on the shared boundary, more’s the pity! It will take a long time for my ophiopogon to reach the size of your carpet if the seeds are not coming up true to the parent 😦
I can see why the berry envy! What a wonderful sight that must be. I agree about the Ophipogon reverting to green – I think it happens too if it doesn’t get enough sun. Can’t help with the Artemisia – I actually thought it was a Corydalis, shows how much I know 😉
I see what you mean about corydalis, as the leaves are a little similar. The flowers are spikes of a kind of dirty white. You think the ophiopogon might need more sun..? I will look into that.