Pillars of Salt

One of the most colourful tiny little flowers in the garden this frosty morning was this Santolina which is smaller than the nail on my little finger.

It looks like swirling pillars which are the columns of petals tightly closed near the centre and open towards the outside in the shape of a little trumpets. Each column has 5 petals though sometimes 6, inside which are housed the stigma and stamen. With it's silver frosted leaves it really stood out and the yellow flower almost seems to be covered with a light sprinkling of salt they are such tiny minuscule crystals but unfortunately melting fast!

Off now to try and bring in some Christmas decorations from the garage and have a day sorting!!