Hellebores
A sure sign that winter is ending and spring is just around the corner.
I had barely even heard of these magnificent flowers until I moved to North Carolina! Where had I been, right? The range of colors and the carefree attention shown these perennials is remarkable.
I inherited some very simple, basic, white and pale pink plants when we bought this house. And now, a few years later , I finally have some new varieties.
My first bouquet picked this week:
They are perfect..oh so perfect..in this indigo blue mug made by my sister and given to me for Christmas.
These, above and below, are new(ish). I don’t know the variety, but they are just a bit sturdier and more solid than my inherited plants and flowers.
This beautiful pink one below is from Tryon Palace in New Bern. More to come on that visit!
Did you know there is an annual Hellebore Festival? Yes indeed,
Pine Knot Farms
in Clarksville, Virginia opens their farm and gardens to the public for four weekends each year. The next series of open houses begins on Feb. 17, just a few weeks away. Pine Knot is known by anyone who is a hellebore aficionado…I have heard the Tylers speak and continually drool over the gorgeous plants on their site. So this year I AM GOING. And I will report back to you!
I discovered this short video of Pine Knot Farms:
Pretty special, no?
They are a favorite of ours and yours are beautifu!. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Libby!
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Thanks, Design Chic!!! It’s very grey today though; we were in Kinston and New Bern for 2 days (will post on Sunday…) and it was a lovely 77!
Looking forward to your report on Pine Knot Farms.
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Have you ever been? Can’t wait, and want to buy some more exotic ones, like black or deep purple!
No, but I’ve read about them. Sounds like a great place.
Marian St.Clair recently posted…IAVOM and More
Oh Libby! About 4 years ago our gardener gave me about 5 various hellebore plants from his garden. They each produce leaves very nicely. But I have never succeeded in getting my hellebores to flower and I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why. Really frustrating. They’re quite wonderful, at least notionally.
Regards,
Kate.
Zone 5
Kate: I’ve heard of others having this problem…but they are supposed to flower almost no matter what! It may take a few years, but not 4 long ones. Hmmm. Maybe a little fertilizer? Have you asked at local garden center? I’ll send you some if I divide later this year, so remind me!
And, wanted to tell you, I am going on a week long garden tour to the Cotswolds!!! Yes, I cannot wait. Perhaps this Francophile is becoming an Anglophile???
Those hellebore look fantastic against that beautiful blue mug, such a lovely contrast. Sarah x