It's the Berries

The landscape interest this time of year is in the berries. 

Because the bushes look like bare bent bones of a giant's finger the evergreens and berries catch my eye.

beauty berry blooms in the fall 

I used to love the red nandina, holly berries, and beauty berry in my yard.  I miss having them to cut and put in the house. The craving for winter beauty forces me to look more carefully. 

I found these lovelies in a well-planned garden recently. 
Although I dislike junipers I found this ground cover variety very attractive. 

The landscaper put the short spread-limbed tree, the spruce, the juniper and the bush with red berries together to contrast nicely. To my gardener's eye, it is as well composed as a painting.

Further along Rosewood Circle I found these blue-black berries. Plump and appealing, I don't know if the birds eat them or not. 

They weren't picked over, but I've seen birds patiently wait for just the right time and then

strip a holly tree in one day.

These ovaloid orange berries peek out from a white flower. The leaves are interesting too. Does anyone recognize this? 

I really must download a plant-recognition app. 

Even though my gardening is confined to indoor plants now, I enjoy the unusual and fruitful plants that I see around me. 

My brain made a connection (synapse) between the physical berries and a phrase I'd read "It's the berries."

I did a little digging and found that the phrase dates from an 1869 Punch cartoon. A young man is seeking a piece of Mistletoe. The seller tells him "It ain't a very big Piece, but there's lots o' Berries on it; An' it's the Berries as does it!" 

Apparently more berries made for increased likelihood of snagging a snog (1940's slang for kissing and cuddling.)

Enjoy the greenery we display this holiday season. Cut some Mistletoe - and be sure it's full of berries!