Winter?

I know it's not yet winter, but as I looked out the window very early this morning my eye was caught by these snapdragons. Look at them - all pink and hale. Hearty even. No frost damage anywhere to be found. And here it is nearly halfway through December. Shouldn't they be laying in a pile of mungy brown sludge, leaves long since decayed?



But wait, there's more!

I picked a rose today. And here it is - my new Granada. Hard to see in the yellow light of the kitchen, but it's a lush yellow with orangey red tinges on the outside. And the scent is amazing - all delicate and fragrant and fruity. There's a little slug damage, but here I am, picking roses in December.