In early 2013, I was entranced by an article I read on
Hellebores, a delicate early flowering plant with dark green leaves and a
glossy stem. To my delight, I also
discovered that it is possible to grow them at altitude! I immediately put this plant on my wish list
for 2013.
Hellebores the article claimed were gaining a cult-like
fancy & following. What?? I thought … what have I missed, where have I
been? Where do I find them?? I think all
too often we get stuck in favorite routines of perennials, natives, vegetables
and the annuals we enjoy for color in our garden. I offer we should take advantage of the
opportunity to broaden our plant experiences with new things. How can we miss on a plant that is billed as
early blooming (late winter to early spring), long-lasting delicate flowers, frost resistant and low
maintenance ?!! Can we be so fortunate
to have this as an option in our special foothills environment? These plants are not usually found in the big
box store nurseries, you are better off looking at your local garden center or
trying an online grower. Different varieties
of hellebores offer a fairly broad range of growing zones as well.
The history of Hellebores is intriguing. It is said that in Arabic, “helibar” means a
remedy against madness – maybe appropriate for determined gardeners at
altitude, I wonder?? It is also hinted
that its mild leaf toxicity may have played a part in the poison solution that
killed Alexander the Great. The
Europeans have long valued this plant from medieval times. Today, visitors can even visit the Jardins de
Bellevue, France’s National Collection of Hellebores located in Beaumont-le-Hareng.
But back to the Rocky Mountains for further insights. I purchased 2 plants from a garden center in early March. These
would become my test plants. They are Helleborus niger – HGC Jacob, pretty
much the only variety I have found locally. The plants have white flowers that
turn green when they reach maturity and begin to nod a bit. They do well in
part to full shade – best in a naturalized setting. It will bloom from Nov – Jan. My garden center subjects finished blooming
in late March. They need slightly
alkaline soils, well drained. Allow the
soil to dry between waterings. True
growers and those into cultivation of different Hellebore varieties may preach
on care and fertilization plus all the right “rules of the road” for proper
growth. Being a true novice with these plants, I am taking the course of
learning by experience, like watching leaves turn yellow after indoor blooming
ended. Thinking that I was killing the
plants, I started giving them sunshine breaks outside in preparation for
outdoor life after the April snows.
Immediately, the leaves started turning green again and the plant, now 2
months later, has survived several curious attacks by elk or deer that’ve
pulled the plant out of the pot but didn’t touch or eat a single leaf!!!
Could it be I’ve discovered a true browse resistant plant
for our altitude and local critters??
Perhaps I should not hex myself by wondering, but if you’re in the mood
to try something new – try a Hellebore.
