Firmly Rooted Hooray for Hellebores!

By Tori Carver

Or is it Hurray? Either way, YAY for Hellebores! I was first introduced to these cuties four or five years ago (or longer) at my local garden center. I purchased two or three containers because the pot label said they preferred shady areas and I had quite a few sun-challenged spots that needed some TLC. It was only years later, once I started flower farming, that I learned their true value. Many people often refer to them as lenten roses and they are extremely easy to grow, readily reseed, and bloom from February to May. While they favor well-draining, rich, moist soil, I’ve found they’ll pretty much grow anywhere as long as they receive an ample amount of shade. They come in a gorgeous array of colors from white to pale green to pink to dark burgundy and several varieties sport freckled blooms which just happen to be my favorite characteristic. The only downside is they take a few years to get established, but the good

Victoria (Tori) Carver is a flower farmer. From the thousand bulbs and plants that she puts in the ground each year she creates lovely bouquets. Many enjoy her flowers in their home each week. She has established a subscription program for her customers or a honor-system bouquet sales for random purchases. Tori and her husband and children make their home in Clayton, where they are a treasured part of the community. If you are interested in Firmly Rooted Flower Farm please reach out by email to firmlyrootedflowerfarm@gmail.com or phone 706-490-0041. You will also enjoy their website at www.firmlyrootedflowerfarm.com news is they are mostly deer and critter resistant because of their rough, serrated leaves.

Most folks just let them be, but if you want to give them some extra attention, you can spread a layer of compost around the plants as an amendment each winter which can also double as weed cover. You can also remove all of the tattered, frost nipped leaves once new growth starts to emerge. Of course, none of this is necessary, it just gives them a boost and keeps them looking neat and tidy.

The only complaint I’ve ever heard people mention when discussing hellebores though is their propensity to wilt after being cut. Luckily, I have the inside scoop on avoiding this little conundrum. The secret is waiting until the blossom is ripe before cutting. The best way to tell if a hellebore is ripe is to wait until the blooms have dropped their stamens and have started to produce seed pods. The more developed the seed pods, the longer the flower will hold. I’ve included photographs of both stages of blooms for reference. The prettiest one (in my opinion) is the one with the pretty little speckled stamens that look like miniature star bursts. Don’t be fooled by her cuteness, though…wait until the bloom has tiny seed pods like the other photo before cutting so you will get the longest vase life. Older and wiser vs. younger and prettier. Hmmmmm. Looks like older and wiser wins!

If you are lucky enough to have these fancy ladies in your garden, then you are lucky enough. If you don’t, and you are looking for a little color in your late winter/early spring shade garden, this perennial is a perfect choice.