It has been cold and frosty this past week. The lows have been getting down almost to 20 degrees. The low sun does not reach into the backyard and icicles are coming out of the ground. But usually the frost comes with brilliant clear days.

We took an opportunity on the clear sunny cold Friday to check out the winter garden in the arboretum. Last year we visited it at the end of February. But we heard the witch hazel was in bloom.

It was gorgeous. The sun had warmed a few spots and the fragrance of the witch hazel and daphne was intoxicating. Here are a few shots.

Click through for a slide show at Flickr