It's been unusually warm and sunny here. I was cutting down the Ornipets, pulling stakes and piling leaves on the hydrangeas, when I saw this. You'll have to zoom in but, here in December, my Corydalis lutea is blooming.
Yes. I agree, the leaves, the pine needles, wonderful. We now are in a leaf free zone. The Chief picked up our 5 acres, and all the neighbors and now we have about 15 yards of mulch for next year...at a 10 to 1 reduction (or better). Tree poop, excellent, nutritious mulch.