Today I would like to introduce you to …
Hellebores
The Lenten Rose
I’m writing this in winter, when I went to check on my Hellebore plants. They are boldly coming up out of the cold soil. I do not thrive in the colder months but this little beauty does and I don't know about you but I find the colour and the beauty of the Hellebore such a gift to lift the spirits.
I was first given a bunch of Hellebore by a dear friend a couple of winters ago, and I have been obsessed with them ever since. They’re an inspiring plant and I could not stop researching them.
Here is what I found out about the Hellebore plant.
It's another member of the buttercup family and it flowers from late winter into the spring. Well, I say ‘flowers’. It actually ‘sepals’ and the colourful petals aren't petals but another part of the plant called the sepals. These grow around the plant to protect the tiny flower within the bloom. The sepals come in a variety of colours from green/white, pinks and burgundy reds.
Most Hellebores have evergreen leaves, which helps you remember where you've planted them!
The flower blooms downward to protect the pollen from the rain and to provides shelter for hungry early pollinators (like everyone’s favourite, the bumblebee). It’s a shame that we can’t always see the flower, but it’s totally worth it in the end.
Would I recommend these for the cottage garden? Absolutely yes, no hesitation from me. If you want to buy them in early spring, they are usually in the bargain section of the nursery, which is always a win.
You will need to put in a shady spot and choose wisely where, as they don’t like to be moved once planted. They are high performance perennials, so you get good value for your money, and there are a lot of varieties too. I know you will find something you fall in love with. They are great as a cut flower and don't seem to mind being brought inside. Leave the laves though and you can cut them back in the next winter as the new buds grow.
Interflora has a lovely article about Hellebore, if you want to read more. They suggest that the name Hellebore comes from two Greek words that mean ‘injure’ and ‘food’... possibly a warning not to eat them!
Click here for the article - Hellebore
Finches lane Illustration and pattern can be found on the Flower Collections page -
Love and heaps of blessings,
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