In the Arboretum

Stuck in traffic in the pouring rain yesterday, I finally was able to take a picture of these larch in their awesome glory (at least I am pretty sure they are larch). I drive by them while taking my son to school, and they form a mesmerizing blaze of gold and black above the green grass that makes the traffic disappear for me. One of these days I'll have to get out and stand underneath them.

In any case, the sighting inspired this arrangement of camellia, sarcococca, and japanese maple. The color doesn't quite come through in the photo, but trust me, it is a warm wintery combination, where the gold maple picks up the yellow center on the fragile camellias. Come to think of it, it is the color of the November birthstone, isn't it? I think I like it better on a tree than on my finger.