When I first saw Marianne Willburn’s excellent post, A Defense of Hellebores, on Garden Rant, I thought, we’re now defending hellebores? Surely not.
Who wouldn’t love these perennials, some of which flower in December, Christmas roses, H. niger, and others that continue on through much of spring, Lenten roses, H. x hybridus? A shade perennial that blooms in neglected, low-water areas–those shady spots where not much else will grow? A perennial deer don’t really like to eat?
Then, I started reading Marianne’s post, and I guess she’s right. We do need to defend hellebores. I thought about my garden coaching clients, who think hellebores are really expensive. Those who want year-round color from every plant in the garden, even in the shade.
Plus, I couldn’t agree more when Marianne wrote:
The relative nakedness of daffodils, crocus and snowdrops against a still apocalyptic tundra is certainly cheering; but when glasses are removed, it becomes apparent that what’s needed to tie them all together is a freshness and vigor that evergreen foundation shrubs can’t provide.
Marianne Willburn
Plus, not very many evergreen shrubs like growing in Oklahoma anyway. On the other hand, Hellebores love growing here if you give them a bit of water through drip irrigation.
Still, I almost didn’t write this post because I’ve written about hellebores so many times before. Here’s a recap:
Then, there’s Hello Hellebore! This was another post I wrote sometime back. I wrote about hellebores when I discussed February’s garden chores. I’ve written about them for Oklahoma Gardener magazine and reprinted that article here. I sure miss that magazine and those articles. Don’t you?
This made me wonder if I needed to defend hellebores yet again, but after I went outside and took some photos of my newer and older ones, here we are. I hope you don’t mind.
A late-winter/early-spring garden without hellebores isn’t nearly as pretty as one with several. Thanks for your defense, Marianne. As a fellow hellebore lover, I appreciate it.
To prove this point, when I was at Lowe’s buying seed-starting supplies, I found another new hellebore, FrostKiss Anna’s Red, and I snapped it up before anyone else could. Can you see the pink veining in the leaves?
Nope, hellebores aren’t cheap, but they’re certainly worth every penny. Go get yourself some.
Yes, I’m a fan, too. I tend toward native plants, but I certainly make exceptions, and one exception is for Hellebores. They like Wisconsin, too, and they like partial shade and shade, so… Thanks for sharing your beauties and your thoughts. 🙂
Hey Beth, the funny thing is hellebores look like they should be native plants with their stubby, jagged leaves. I’ll just pretend they are.~~Dee
.Love them!!! Heading to Lowe’s this weekend to see if we have them. I have another “local” source about 2 hours away that has small plantings at an affordable price. May have to make the trip.
Hi June, I saw another FrostKiss variety at our local nursery. I snapped up three plants to place beneath a Japanese maple.~~Dee
Thanks, Dee for your article on hellebores. I really like them and when I saw your comment about snatching one up recently at Lowes, my hubby and I were there yesterday and I was able to snatch one. I have. been looking at them online and they are expensive, but when buying locally I was able to save the shipping cost. I currently have the hellebore in my greenhouse and I am wondering how soon it should get planted outside. Probably now, but I had foot surgery a week ago and I am not able to get it planted just yet. What are your thoughts about it being in the greenhouse or should it be out on the patio? Thanks!
Good morning Decah! you are so welcome. Hellebores are ridiculously hardy (another plus!) You can probably just set it out on the deck, but it’s fine in the greenhouse too. Just don’t forget to water it. I’ve had my two Anna’s Red sitting in the front border ever since I brought them home because I can’t decide where I want to place them for the most effect. They are fine. I will plant them today though. I promise. I hope your foot is better very soon. I’ve had quite a bit of foot surgery, well, three, over the years. Blessings to you.~~Dee
Hellebores are so slow to grow. Yes, they are expensive when you buy the larger plant, but you are buying several years of growth.
Hi Melissa, you’re absolutely right, and they give years and years of service. Kinda like little shrubs which makes them seem cheaper. LOL. ~~Dee
My grocery store sells them at Christmas and Easter in the florist department for less than you would pay at a garden center. They are usually hybrids of Helleborus niger. I snap one up at Easter. The ground is frozen at Christmas and I can’t keep them happy in the house until they can be planted outdoors, so I skip buying at Christmas now. You just never know where you might find a good plant for sale.
Hi Kathy, I’ve heard of this grocery store phenomena, but they don’t sell them here sadly. Probably because they don’t think Oklahomans would buy them. I have found other interesting plants and cut flowers at my grocery store though. Smart of you to snap one of up at Easter. Happy gardening!~~Dee
So thankful you posted about hellebores in the past as I wasn’t familiar with them. Now I am hopelessly hooked on them. I purchased the Frostkiss Moondance the other day at Lowe’s. I already have three Anna’s Red from previous years and lost the white one I had in the arctic blast. They have become some of my favorites. Thanks for all the great information Dee!
Hi Sonia, that makes me so happy. I have a lot myself these days, and the varieties just keep getting better and better. ~~Dee