28 Green Acres
February 26, 2021
30 Armstrong Garden Center
March 12, 2021
Hello, Hellebores!
I have "issues," plain and simple. I live in shorts, t-shirt and flip-flops, and they all have to fit just right. When they do, I buy in fives. And that’s how I am with Hellebores.
Helleborus x hybridus 'Penny's Pink,' 'Wedding Bells' Wedding Party Series
Low volt lighting.
I currently have over 25 Hellebores (and counting!) in my garden and cannot fit them all into one blog post so stay tuned for Winter 2021.
Had I known through the years that I would be writing a blog someday, I would have kept the labels with the Hellebores they belong to. But no! The labels are in a big bowl with a zillion other labels at least. So now you know the extent of work to get all the plants shown in this post matched up with their correct names!
Being generally very certain of what I like and don't like, I can easily rate my favorite things. And Hellebores are my #3 favorite plant!
Why so high on my list? They are evergreen, some reseed, and blooms can last 4 to 5 months, winter through spring. And in just a few years after planting they can grow to 3 by 3 feet, sometimes larger.
Hellebores prefer partial shade but I have many in full shade and they grow and bloom just as pretty. All Hellebores use very little water once established—which is why mine are not on an irrigation system. I water the newbies 3 times a week and the oldies a couple times a month.
Helleborus x hybridus ‘Blue Lady’ and blossom on right.
(The variegated leaves are from an unknown variety of Hellebore. The label was not in the bowl!)
Blue Lady was my first ever Hellebore and I only bought it because the label said "Deer Resistant"—which is true. And that started my Hellebore obsession.
Now you would think the color of Blue Lady's blossoms would be blue, right? But if you want to start your own obsession (or try to match labels to plants), here’s a thing you should know: the names they give Hellebores? They don't make sense. Plus, each blossom on a single plant can be slightly different in color. This makes it very very hard to ID a Hellebore you're not familiar with.
Blue Lady came from Annie’s Annuals & Perennials on my very first visit there. They come in 4-inch pots and cost $14.95. But Annie has limited varieties. She needs more because I have THEM ALL.
Helleborus niger ssp. macranthus ‘Sunny Border’
TOP: December BOTTOM: March
Helleborus niger is the first to bloom. In my garden this means early December. The blossoms are crisp white at first and then age to pink. It is now March and still as beautiful as ever.
FROM TOP: Aspidistra elatior (Iron Plant), Helleborus x hybridus ‘Sparkling Diamond’
I’m such a sucker for white blossoms. I put 'Sparkling Diamonds' in front of this Iron Plant as a backdrop to showcase it. I have 3 others throughout the gardens. White just makes everything crisp and clean.
I also purchase Hellebores online at Plant Delights and Woodlanders. They are shipped in 3 1/2-inch pots ranging from $23 to $25. Yes, pricey, but did you know it takes 3 to 5 years for Hellebores to bloom?! You better be a patient person and enjoy watching green things grow. But let me tell you it is worth it! You cannot look below and not know why that pig is happy.
TOP: Helleborus x hybridus ‘Onyx Odyssey’, ‘Florence Picotee’, ‘Charmer’ with pig, Wilbur.
BELOW: Blossoms of same, in order as listed.
Helleborus x hybridus (above) are the last to bloom. By mid February, first of March, all are in bloom and my garden is a stunning sea of colors.
Some varieties are single petal bloomers.
TOP: Helleborus ballardiae ‘Pink Frost’ with Cordyline ‘Can Can’ behind.
BOTTOM FROM LEFT: Helleborus x hybridus ‘Tropical Sunset,’ Helleborus x hybridus ‘Molly's White’ with Cordyline ‘Red Sensation’
Other varieties are double petal bloomers.
TOP: Helleborus x hybridus ‘Maid of Honor’
BOTTOM FROM LEFT: Helleborus x hybridus ‘Sun Flare’ with Cordyline ‘Cha Cha’
Helleborus x hybridus ‘Peppermint Ice’
Many people gripe about Hellebore blooms facing down to the ground. Get over it, people! All you have to do is just lay down next to them and look up! Such a nice way to ignore all the rest of your chores.
Northwest Garden Nursery in Eugene, Oregon specializes in Hellebores. Unfortunately, it is open only limited days with limited hours. Aunt Patti and I have missed it twice on our trips. But you can take a look at their photo gallery. Pure joy at its best.
Single bloomers • Double bloomers • In the garden
And you should DO THAT NOW as I'm done with this post. It was truly exhausting playing "Match the Hellebore" with all zillion labels. But it is now complete, and you will no doubt appreciate my work to help you appreciate Hellebores! Hello!!
Photos courtesy Sheri Lynn Burke. All rights reserved.
