we don’t often have snow here on the coast .. that said, it seems when we do, it’s usually this time of the year .. had a lovely little dump the other day .. covered much of what grows at ground level .. not so for those higher up ..

well, not completely covered ..

still .. a lovely show ..

snow .. a guest appearance ..

before  you actually enter “centre stage” .. on the boulevard .. magic is in motion with the flowers of hazelnut trees ..

you have to look closely .. these winter flowers are very teeny ..

then .. you enter the winter garden .. these days you’re greeted by a yellow haze on this little beauty .. definitely  the star of the show so far .. not the first to come out .. just the most eyecatching ..

up close she looks like this .. (or is it “he” .. ?) ..

then .. look around .. see what else is happening .. your eye is drawn toward the fence .. was that just a bright .. and sparkling .. bit of red .. shining in the sunlight ..

.. move in a bit closer ..

suddenly .. fragrance .. wafting on the currents .. viburnum x bodnantense ‘dawn’ .. mmmm .. delicious ..

a glance downward brings lovely new visions .. helleborus niger ‘white magic’ .. (that’s for sure .. ) ..

a beautifull trio of white brightness ..

other hellebores are beginning to awaken for their performance as well ..

so many sights .. and smells .. for this otherwise quiet .. and sleepy .. season ..

keep posted for the next part of this year’s evolving ritual ..