Hellebores are in bud (these are oriental hybrids). This is the first time I've had buds in December. Usually it's February. Now the question is what is going to happen when the thermometer drops down to 20 degrees below zero? Since I had snowdrops last February, this is one year when I'm having bloom for eleven months of the year. Have one helleborus viridis and it too is in bud. Don't think this warm weather is going to do the roses any good - at least one of them is starting to break dormancy and that is going to mean serious die-back. As usual the miscanthus are very showy for most of the winter, especially floridulus which is some nine feet high and has a few sprays of dried blooms waving in the breeze. This morning we had an ice storm and once again the eight foot twisted hazel was coated with crystal and each little catkin looking like a chandelier drop. The winter birds use it as a landing place when waiting for their turn at the feeders.