The first summer of my depression (two years ago), this was exactly my experience. I enjoy gardening, and my flowers all looked faded to me. I thought they were dying and it just fed into that horrible feeling. As I came out of the depression (with drugs), I remember how bright and colorful things were. This last cycle down, that was one of the first things I noticed---the loss of color. I think this is why winter has been so hard this year. All the grey and the shadows and no bright spots to look at.