For some reason this particular hellebore always seems to flower before all the others.
This year I hadn't even trimmed the old leaves when I noticed a flower so it prompted me into action and last year's leaves have now been removed.
After scrabbling around amongst fallen leaves I found that my two hellebore niger which I expect to flower first are just starting to produce buds - although it looks as though something is nibbling them. (Thank you for the prompt to check for buds Shirl).
The other hellebores aren't showing signs of flowering yet - just this one. It's right up at the back of the area in the photo on the left.
I think this particular plant was the first to flower last year too.
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When is the best time to sow Hellebore seeds, Sue? A friend sent me some seeds for a really dark-coloured one. I sowed some of them back in July but none germinated. Was it the wrong time of year?
ReplyDeleteOur hellebores self seed Mark and pop up all over - I think you are best sowing seed as soon after it is ripe as possible a bit like you would for primroses. If anything July may have been a bit late but if you haven't thrown the seed out hang on you may get some late germination.
DeleteHi I have never grown hellebores before, do I have to cut all the leaves off and when???
ReplyDeleteHi Stella. Cutting back this years leaves cuts down on the chance of fungal disease and also it allows space for the new leaves and flower buds to have space to grow. It's a bit like you would do if you are growing strawberries. I may have been encouraged to take the leaves off a bit earlier than I would usually due to the arrival of the first flowers and would usually remove them around the end of December. I think the Christmas rose buds will also benefit by not being covered by foliage as this will give shelter to whatever has been nibbling it. By the end of the year the leaves tend to be ragged and lay flat.
Deletethanks for your advice I shall do this tomorrow
DeleteThanks, Sue. I have a few of the seeds left, so I think I'll sow them in a pot and just hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
DeleteLast year I planted seeds at about this time (bought rather than harvested), and left the tray in the cold frame over the winter, keeping it just moist. Several germinated come Spring. Maybe a bit of cold stimulates them into action.
DeleteYour hellebore may be early Sue, but isn't it glorious!
This is certainly true of many seeds, Jessica
DeleteIt's wonderful to have something flowering at this time of the year. That really is a pretty little plant.xxx
ReplyDeleteIt is Snowbird but I do wonder why this particular plant is much earlier than the others. It's a double variety that came in a collection.
DeleteBeautiful hellebores. And how lovely to see them in bloom now.
ReplyDeleteThe bed of hellebores is just outside of a house window and is lovely when they all flower
DeleteSo lovely to see a little colour and life in the garden!!
ReplyDeleteIt is Tanya - just hope it doesn't end up under snow!
DeleteI have never seen plant like this. Look so interesting
ReplyDeleteI don't think it would like your climate Endah as it is really a winter flower here.
DeleteIs it a little more sheltered at the back of the bed? Perhaps that's why it comes in to flower earlier. I think plants are a law unto themselves though. At least you'll have a longer display this way.
ReplyDeleteIf anything there is more shelter nearer ro magnolia, Jo although it maybe gets a bit more light at this time of year but then again so do the plants growing next to it!
DeleteHow wonderful to see hellebores already. I have a brand new one that I must get in the ground ready for it to flower, I love them, such tough little plants and yet so beautiful in the middle of winter when all could be quite bleak.
ReplyDeleteThey do cheer things up in the bleaker months, Janet
DeleteHellebore in November, wow! Sue what will you have in March?
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that I'll still have hellebores Nadezda.
DeleteNice Sue, I'll have to take a look under my other ones again. My garden is like yours, the rate of growth is different in different beds/areas of the garden. Different temps and light conditions will be factors no doubt. I like having the staggered growth around the garden. Thanks for the mention ;-)
ReplyDeletePlease to mention you, Shirl. It is amazing how many microclimates exist in a small garden isn't it?
DeleteI planted two hellebores last year and one of them was munched. Must check on the buds of the other one as I know the slugs are still hungry! I think they're one of my absolute favourites for the early year so I must get hold of a couple more for the garden - they seem to be quite expensive so I'll try at a trade nursery near my college and see if I can do better price wise! I love the look of that pink one in the last photo! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIf you check the link for Hayloft at the top of my blog they are offering 6 hellebores for £6. I've bought a few 'collections' from them as they seem to be an economical way of acquiring plants if you are now too worried about variety
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