Marigolds in Winter

"As for marigolds, poppies, hollyhocks, and valorous sunflowers, we shall never have a garden without them, both for their own sake, and for the sake of old-fashioned folks, who used to love them."  Henry Ward Beecher

A little shabby and past their best, a row of golden marigolds next to the parsley is one of the few bright patches in my winter garden.

Despite grey skies and frosty mornings they continue to bloom, as sunny and cheerful as ever.