I can't help but notice how many shrubs are looking great just now. With a storm coming, I won't be able to photograph many - Pieris japonica, Viburnum tinus, Oemleria cerasiformis - but here's a night-time picture I just took of my ~30-year-old Harry Lauder's Walking Stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta') in the strong motion-sensor light. Neat, eh? I love watching the catkins elongate over the winter like some kind of organic clock until they finally reach their maximum length and begin releasing pollen. At the same time, they tell me winter is almost over. Hurrah!
