Return of a favourite

This plant was in my garden when I moved in.  I love it.  I'm always pleased when it reappears in all its beauty.

I had another pleasant surprise this morning.  I've bemoaned the fact that I never get any goldfinches in my garden. They are such adorable and pretty little things. I was just sorting a marinade for a Gordon Ramsay recipe (and you know how fiddly he can make some of these things !!!) when I spotted on in the neighbours' tree. I wasn't fast enough - but he returned to settle on the roof.  I think he likes the evergreen tree a few yards away - he's my extra picture, along with my crazy and greedy jay who wasn't happy just with a huge piece of brown bread, but had to stuff with peanuts too.