Helleborus

It was time to gather fallen leaves.  The wind had blown them into neat piles around the place and the rain had kept them anchored where they were in danger of turning into slippery slime.  Following the best of horticultural advice, they are in black plastic bags where they will stay for a year as they decay into very fine soil nutrient.

Meantime the christmas rose is shyly blooming.  It may make a reappearance some time in the future.