I've called a few places looking for hellebores, but haven't found any. A locally owned garden center opened today. I called before going to see if they had any, but when I got there, they were not officially put out for sale yet. The woman I talked to on the phone took me to a greenhouse that is not open to the public- oops, I wasn't supposed to tell anyone. There were several kinds, and I liked them all. The lady was so patient with me as I was trying to pick one, after finding out they were $19.50, so couldn't afford more. First, I was trying to pick my favorite flower, then, since it was going to cost so much, I picked one that had more plants in it, and had great looking foliage as well as flowers.
Isn't it pretty?
Our grandson has access to the area I was originally hoping to plant some hellebores, but after finding out they are poisonous, I found a different place, where there is room for only 2 or 3. I was a bit concerned about planting this here on the south side of the house, because the tree that shades the area is not leafed out yet. I found a great site, hellebores.org, where I found that while hellebores can grow in the shade, they also like some sun.
I will try to get some single flowered ones during a plant sale the end of April, but I imagine they won't bloom any more this season. I hope this one puts out a few more blooms this year.
What a glorious spring this is turning out to be!
Very pretty. And great you were able to get more than one plant out of it. They'll all be marked down soon and I bet this one will give you some more blooms this year. It seems to take about 3 years for them to truly get established, so don't be discouraged.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful one. I haven't seen any around here like that! Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteSusan !! how weird is this .. I changed a mail order plant list I had going to include another hellebore .. Royal Heritage .. but wow ! on your find !! I haven't heard of that one before and it is a beauty : ) I am only getting one as far as I know .. unless there is an unbelieveable sale here, which I don't think will happen.
ReplyDeleteYou got a gorgeous one : )
Hi Susan~~ Your hellebore blossom reminds me of a larkspur with the pointy, overlapping petals. It's a work of art. Nice going! The nursery owner was awfully nice to let you check things out from behind the scenes. Something tells me you'll be going back very soon. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. We are going to have to turn our computers off and go downstairs for a tornado warning.
ReplyDeleteIt's raining. That's good!
Sue, that is the one I'm looking for. It's so pretty and compared to what they cost here, you got a great deal. I wish I could share hellebore seedlings with you!! I do have lots of seeds if you want to experiment with them. I have no idea how easy or hard the are, but I do get lots of seedlings from these plants. If you want me to send some, you can email me from my blog.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your pretty flowers!
Hope the tornado passes you by!
ReplyDeleteWe did not get a tornado here, but there was one or else high winds that caused some damage a few miles from here.
ReplyDeleteI'll think about the seed offer. Thanks, Catherine!
Grace, the bloom reminds me of clematis. This place is locally owned, but large enough that they have a number of employees. The one who let me go into the greenhouse is an employee I remember from last year. I am already a regular customer there.
So, those of you who buy plants, so hellebores tend to be pricey? The family owned and run greenhouse may have some smaller potted ones that aren't as much. Also, those at the April sale should be less.
Now that I have one that's in bloom, I can be patient and wait for more. Still, there was one loaded with smaller yellow blooms that I was tempted to go back to get.
There weren't many of them, and only 1 or 2 of each kind, so I bet they won't go on sale.
The lady didn't think I should split them up, so I didn't. It'll make for a nice clump where it is, though. Also, I asked if I should take the flowers off, like you usually do when planting, especially for annuals, and she said not to.
so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThe flower on that plant is really beautiful.
ReplyDeletePrayers, Bo
Great choice! Look forward to seeing the rest of the story...
ReplyDeleteCameron
Funny, I was thinking about hellebores this year too. I've got it on my list of must-haves, but first I have to spend some hard-earned cash on a new picket fence. Mine fell apart this winter.
ReplyDeleteYou chose well, that is a very pretty Hellebore.
ReplyDeleteYea! How pretty! I was disappointed in my hellebores this spring. nothing blooming... actually, nothing green. I wonder should I or should I not mulch these plants??
ReplyDeleteSue, just a beautiful Hellebore! I really need to get some of these. I'm gonna try to start some from seed, which need to be started 15 weeks before last frost! After attempting Lantana, which germinates in 40-60 days, I'm not sure I want to try! Hope your spring is going well- thanks for stopping by today :)
ReplyDeleteThat seems so worth! You're an inspiration for getting what you want in your garden, Sue!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will be pleased that you spent that amount on one plant. Maybe you could propagate this one, I would sure try!
ReplyDeleteHI Sue,
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a real hellebore. We don't get them here so thanks for showing me a great picture of one. Gardening in the Caribbean is very different and I'm always amazed at how different the plants are.
sharon
Love the muted colors. I was set to add a few this year until I found out they like consistently moist conditions. Still might put a few around my hydrangea.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Sue, that is the most gorgeous variety of hellebore I've ever seen! Didn't know that one existed! Maybe you'll have to start a 'seed fund' to send to those of us who are drooling over your photos...maybe in a couple of years, when the seeds are plentiful?(he he!).
ReplyDeleteI think when you buy one hellebore you end up with at least 20, so that was probably a good price after all! :)
ReplyDeleteThat was a pretty flower. I think it has found a great place with you!
ReplyDeleteBuy only 2 singles and you'll never need to buy Hellebores again. I've got seedlings practically coming out of my ears. They are wonderful plants and, while poisonous, they aren't dangerous the way Digitalis or Monkshood are.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments! It's now 39, and supposed to get into the 20s. The hellebore has not gone into shock at all, so I'm not sure if I should cover it. It is on the south side of the house, so that will provide some protection. (It will be shaded by our large maple tree.)
ReplyDeleteIf I figure out when and how to harvest the seeds, I'd be happy to share, but from what I've read, the new plants may not be the same as the parent plants. The website I gave the link for talks about the details of how to propagate them. It sounds trickier than most seed planting. It sounds like some of you have accomplished it, though.
From what I've read, not all hellebores self sow or even spread. I hope this one does one or both. I will do updates.
I have either been to your blogs lately or hope to soon. Take care!
I do love hellebores. I have 3. As of Sunday, they were still under a bit of snow. I hope the winter wasn't to long and hard ... that I'll get a few blooms out of them.
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