Lenten Roses, Helleborus x hybridudus for Easter

With the Easter Holidays fast approaching it seems appropriate to write about the Lenten Rose or to use their proper name Helleborus x hybridus, a plant that looks good from January to May.     Hellebores are easy to grown and undemanding.



The foliage is evergreen and bold.    Some of the new hybrids have marbled leaves that look as gorgeous as the flower.    When the seed sets the sepals are beautiful, slowly turning green.    



   

Hellebores tolerate full sun to almost full shade.   The colours of their sepals are varied, apricot, damson, grey, crimson, soft green, black and white.    Most Hellebores have downward facing flowers that protect the pollen from rain sheltering the insects that feed on them.   Bees love hellebores their colours, spots and stripes.    Double or single these pollen rich flowers are the first to attract bumble bees in winter.

Hellebores thrive in rich, moisture-retentive soil but are not lovers of boggy conditions.   The plants lend themselves to informal planting and naturalistic gardening.    Today in my garden they look amazing forming a great partnership with Narcissi, Liriope muscari and Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign'.

Turn up their faces.   You will be surprised to see what their dropping heads conceal.   Float their heads in a beautiful bowl of water for a flower arrangement that will last for weeks at a time.




To grow Hellebores plant in well-drained soil, beneath shrubs or in pots.    Cut back the large leaves when the flowers emerge.    The leaves are leathery and conceal the beauty of the flowers and their new foliage.    Mulch annually with well rotted manure or compost.

Hellebores do not like being split, divided or transplanted after they have established themselves.    Instead let your hellebores self seed around your garden.    The new plants will not be true to its parent but by letting them self seed you will create a group of eclectic flower shapes and colours.

Winderwath Gardens near Penrith are now open to view Hellebores, Primulas and an array of unusual plants, many grown from seed and propagated by the owner, Jane Pollock.  There is something for every season. 

The garden showcases a range of carefully considered habitats and microclimates in which many specialist plants flourish.

The entrance to Winderwath is just off the A66 from Penrith to Scotch Corner, just west of Temple Sowerby.    The sign is small but is worth hunting down.   The gardens are normally open Monday through to Saturday.

Be prepared to be amazed.  



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