Hellebores: this is a group of about 20 or 25 species of garden plants from central Europe and western Asia.
This seems a good day to write a few words about Hellebores since my Christmas Rose was on the verge of blooming right before we got the sub-zero Canadian blast two weeks ago. Now that the snow cover has gone somewhat it appears that the buds may survive, providing they are not frozen again this week. Helleborus niger, an alpine native of Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Germany, usually blooms in the very early spring – January or February -- in its native habitat but mine is usually in bloom by Thanksgiving although this year it may not make it at all. Or it may be on its “native” schedule of later in the winter. Regardless, the pure white flower that blooms in mid-winter snow has attracted gardeners for a long time.
I have four other Hellebores: another white that closely resembles the niger parent but that blooms in late spring; a white one spotted with “red” (although the pictures on the web look purple to me) that has yet to bloom even after four years but I'm hoping that this year it will put forth buds and flowers; and a Helleborus foetida, or Stinky Hellebore, whose unusual clumping and spiraling foliage rather than the somewhat inconsequential small light green flowers is the main attraction.
The fourth is the Lenten Rose, or Helleborus
orientalis, with large green flowers that blooms
near Easter time. The leaves are rough and serrate-edged which discourages deer. This species, native to Greece and Turkey, has given rise to many of the named varieties now available in nurseries.
Hellebores have begun attracting considerable gardening attention the last several years and many new attractively marked and double varieties in a range of colors have entered the market. They are showy, blooming at unusual times of the year, are easily propagated from seed, grow well in shady parts of the garden, readily adapt to a variety of soil types and are moderately drought tolerant although they appreciate an occasional big drink. A big plus for Missoula is that deer tend to ignore the coarse foliage and occasional unpleasantly scented plants.
For more information on Hellebores check out the website for Sunshine Farms near Renton, Washington: http://www.sunfarm.com/ Or, a site devoted completely to Hellebores http://www.hellebores.org/
Hellebores have begun attracting considerable gardening attention the last several years and many new attractively marked and double varieties in a range of colors have entered the market. They are showy, blooming at unusual times of the year, are easily propagated from seed, grow well in shady parts of the garden, readily adapt to a variety of soil types and are moderately drought tolerant although they appreciate an occasional big drink. A big plus for Missoula is that deer tend to ignore the coarse foliage and occasional unpleasantly scented plants.
For more information on Hellebores check out the website for Sunshine Farms near Renton, Washington: http://www.sunfarm.com/ Or, a site devoted completely to Hellebores http://www.hellebores.org/
