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Finally Found. Hellebores

Since I joined the website, Blotanical, in February I’ve been visiting many gardening blogs from all over the world and am learning about many different plants. One that has been coming up regularly is Helleborus or Hellebores. They appear to be very popular winter / early spring flowering plants suited to shade gardens so of course that piqued my interest. Anything that does well in a shade garden AND is as pretty as these plants and flowers are, was bound to find its way onto my “list”. Although I see Hellebores in the South African gardening books and mentioned on a few South African websites, I have not yet seen any at a local nursery. I keep expecting to find them in those little 6 pack seedling trays, but so far no joy.

This week Barbie and I took a little road trip and went to visit some specialist nurseries. At last … there they were waiting for me – Hellebores! I think the lady at the nursery thought I was a bit nuts because I got so excited when I spotted them. I purchased three nice sized plants (now I wish I’d taken more, but she only had a few) and I’m hoping they do well in my garden.

[one_half]My three new Helleborus plantsHelleborus Orientalis[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The label says “Helleborus Orientalis”Helleborus Orientalis[/one_half_last]

I’ve have been reading up about Hellebores and found out that Azaleas make good companion plants for Hellebores so that solves two problems – what additional plants to put in the Azalea bed and where to plant the new Hellebores! My Azalea bed can do with some attractive additions, is well shaded and now I can’t wait to get them in the ground. Only problem is … I’m wishing I had bought more! Unfortunately the lady at the nursery couldn’t tell me what colour flower they are as she got them from someone in Johannesburg. But I don’t really care – It will be fun to see what they are when they eventually flower! I’ve seen so many varieties and colours on the blogs I visit – and they are all beautiful so I’m really happy to have found these.

What’s the bet that now I finally have some, Hellebores will probably start appearing in all the local nurseries next week …

According to the RHS, Hellebores (sometimes known as the Christmas or Lenten rose) are perennial garden plants with elegant flowers, perfect for brightening up shady areas during late winter and early spring. Some species are grown for their striking evergreen architectural foliage.

Any tips on “Raising Hellebores” will be greatly appreciated! Mine are labelled: Helleborus Orientalis.

Happy Gardening
xxx

By Christine

Dominated by large trees on a medium sized property, my garden is very shaded. With no “full sun” areas I have to plant shade and partial shade loving plants. I love shrubs and flowers including camellias and azaleas but Roses and Irises are my favourite and getting these to thrive is a challenge …

9 replies on “Finally Found. Hellebores”

Fabulous! It was great going on the hunt with you! Not sure I am mad about them but we are so different, hey?

Ha! What did I tell you – now that I have found them they would start turning up in nurseries! Well, it was not quite the corner nursery, but today I found some at a specialist nursery – and I bought another! A bigger plant than the three I bought last week, and the owner was reluctant to sell it to me because he only has a few, but I’d spent a lot already and I think he felt obliged to sell it to me … so I am now the proud owner of four Hellebores plants!

happy you found them…once they grow in you will want more…I have lots of new young ones all over and they are still filling in but the blooms are gorgeous..

I specialize in hellebores at my nursery and am in the middle of a multi-part series of posts that explain all the ins and outs of hellebores. Number 5 was March 26 and called The Sex Lives of Hellebores. Your plant is not H. orientalis, which is a species, but instead Helleborus x hybridus, hybrid hellebore. The nursery owner couldn’t tell you the color because your plants could be any color from white to pink to red to purple to almost black with spots and edging and doubles. Awaiting your first bloom is part of the fun. Culturally they grow anywhere except they must be well-drained. Add plenty of organic matter as a bonus. Message me with any other questions—I would be happy to help.

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