I’ve been watching the garden here in London for a couple of months. There is a ginko tree out back, one of my mother’s favorite trees. My son planted it in her memory a long time ago. It is now very tall and hides the side of the house behind us. It’s fun to watch the changing colors of the leaves as autumn weather gets colder, until finally its bare branches glitter in the low sunlight. (Nov.5, 11, 28) 
Then I looked out this morning and noticed some tiny yellow spots on the back fence, which turned out to be delicate yellow flowers – winter jasmine, I think. We did a lot of pulling out tangled greenery this summer, and I didn’t even know this plant was there. I photographed it next to one of the candle holders that give the back fence a nice glow in the summer evenings.
For the festive season, here are a couple of photos of our enormous holly tree. It is simply covered with berries this year. A blackbird hen uses it for her abode, carefully darting in through the prickles, or pecking away at the berries on the other side. We also have a little robin who is too quick for my camera. He likes the small black berries from the creeper vine. He comes most mornings, and stands on the compost bin looking at us through the dining room window before he, too, takes his breakfast.
To all my readers, thank you, and I wish you all a Happy Hollyday!
Talking Pictures, a Sound Decision 
Well, I didn’t know that Daniel planted the gingko in memory of Mum. But I do remember Stan (Dad) coming home from a cycle ride-cum walk the dog (rascal) in Dulwich Park, proudly announcing that he’d discovered one there. This was in the very late ’50’s I think. This episode always had led me to believe it was his favourite tree! Maybe I’ve been wrong all these years, or perhaps they shared this love…too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely! I can’t wait until things begin to “SPRING” up around here. I did some indoor planting recently to stave off SAD.
LikeLiked by 1 person
SAD is a good reason to garden indoors. We have several large green plants in the front hall; they only need watering though I keep meaning to separate the sansevieria (which we called ‘Mother-in-Law’s tongue’). Saw a lot of it growing in South Africa last year where it is native. I think I have killed the orchid, or at least stopped it flowering, and a friend passed three poinsettias over to us as they didn’t do well their house. I will try planting them out in warmer weather, and then bringing them back inside to re-red, as one of ours did four years i a row. Outside I’m hoping the blueberries in pots will have survived the cold weather. Only the beginning of February, but I think nature is thinking of Spring. The herbs will be first to show new leaves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All of this green talk!! Made my morning! 🐛🐝🌱🌿
LikeLiked by 1 person
How delightful, your winter garden! I had never heard of winter blooming jasmine. What a beautiful plant, with its red twigs and bold yellow blossoms.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Somehow I pushed a wrong button and that photo appeared on my desktop quite uninvited. But it is so bright and happy that I have kept it.
LikeLiked by 1 person