DAY 250 (11 DECEMBER) Conifer (Gymnosperm) (Farnham)

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This tree was the suitably bare (and rain-washed) decoration outside a high street shop today. More like this please.

I think I prefer the common name, by the way.

DAY 249 (10 DECEMBER) Lenten-rose (Helleborus orientalis) (Farnham)

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So nice to see this window box by the church today with one of my favourite flowers thriving there. The lenten-rose is such a subtle, sleepy pink – a relief from all the in-your-face red Christmas flowers around.

DAY 248 (9 DECEMBER) (Farnham)

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Here’s an example of something that looks rather beautiful close up, but a right mess from a distance. I spotted these fluffy bits stuck to brambles today and wondered if a flock of sheep had run into them by mistake and come away a bit sore afterwards… But I assume these puffy balls are part of what is meant to happen to this plant in December. But I’ve been unable to identify it… Anyone?

DAY 247 (8 DECEMBER) Holly decoration (Ilex) (Farnham)

It was sad that the lady selling these today at our annual Christmas Market felt she needed to say all the ingredients were real. Lovely they were.

DAY 246 (7 DECEMBER) (Farnham)

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I don’t know what this is. It’s a hazard of taking photos in winter. From a distance it could be mistletoe, but not close up. But it looked good and made its own Christmas decoration against the painterly sky today outside the art college.

DAY 245 (6 DECEMBER) Hydrangea (Hydrangea) (Farnham)

It’s so easy to dismiss (or deny) the decaying and look away. But there is often beauty there, in the very change. Like these petals hanging on in our garden.

DAY 244 (5 DECEMBER) London plane (Platanus acerifolia) (Canary Wharf, London)

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This London plane stands defiant in an icy wind blowing across the waterways of Canary Wharf. You have to try hard here, but it’s satisfying to take a photo where nature’s own high-rise seems to dominate.

DAY 243 (4 DECEMBER) Silver ragwort (Jacobaea maritima) (Farnham)

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On a very cold day I saw this silver ragwort outside the arts centre. It’s wonderfully seasonal – like two-toned antlers in snow.

DAY 242 (3 DECEMBER) Culver’s foot (Viburnum farreri) (Farnham)

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The sun came out today. And provided me with a blue-back-lit winter flowering bush in the art college gardens – a reliable source of new discoveries. Apparently these are “sweetly-perfumed” though I didn’t notice. But great to see something we know will flower right through to spring.

DAY 241 (2 DECEMBER) Bengal rose (Rosa chinensis) (Farnham)

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So good to see this delicate rose, together with its sister rose hip, decorating the interesting library gardens on another glum cloudy day. I like roses best when they are fading.