Hellebore Season

If you haven't visited the Garden for the first time this year, now is the time to do so if you want to see Hellebores.  This group of plants is related to Buttercups (they belong to the Ranunculaceae).  However, they are far more fancy than the standard buttercup!  We have several species and hybrids; not all are open yet.  The main types open at the moment are Helleborus niger (white), H. X nigercors (white), H. orientalis hybrids (wine to cream) and H. odorus (yellow-green).  These are portrayed below, in the order noted.  If growing these in your garden, plant them in a deep, rich soil...like peonies, they improve with age and resent transplanting.  Full sun is probably best for peak performance but they will tolerate part shade and still put on a reasonable show.  Our first bloom in mid-April but they will bloom for several weeks yet.  As mentioned, we still have others not yet open.