The winter solstice is yet to come, though we seem to be getting payback for those lovely warm days in November. But since gardening outdoors is over, let's bring on the holiday season. Pine cones ...

Female (left) and male spruce cones at the Arnold Arboretum. It's a more common sight to see separate male and female cones like this. (Courtesy William "Ned" Friedman) Every spring the conifer trees ...