Tangled Branches: Cultivated
happenings in and around my zone 6b gardens in northern Virginia and in central Virginia
Monday, February 14, 2005
Hellebores and Crocuses
Spring is coming. The birds are very vocal. Snowdrops have been blooming for a month. And today, I noticed crocuses about to bloom. I actually remember the variety too - 'Cream Beauty'. The weather is dismal today, or I would have taken a picture. Yesterday, I moved some of the leaf litter away from the hellebores (and no, I don't remember what variety they are), and found several flowers. I have to admit to mixed feelings about both of these plants. It's nice to have something in bloom this early, but in the case of the hellebores you have to hunt for the flowers, and in the case of this particular crocus the color is a bit anemic. I think the crocuses just need better companions - something to compare and contrast with other than mud and dead stems of Plumbago. I went Googling for a picture of 'Cream Beauty' to show you, and found a site recommending some companions for it. But the hellebores...well...all the garden catalogs are pushing these as the greatest things to grow in the shade since hostas, and yeah, they're tough and sort of evergreen (as long as it doesn't get very cold), but the foliage looks winter-weary by the time they bloom, and I just don't know if I like them very much. I may change my mind in a few weeks when there are more signs of spring and the flower stalks have pushed up a little higher. Last year I planted several of the Pine Knot strain (new! improved!) from Wayside Gardens, but I doubt if they will bloom this year - they seem quite small yet. And now I see there is an entire forum on GardenWeb devoted to hellebores, so maybe I am in the minority in my opinion of them.
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