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Hellebores (again)

Following on from Gay's posting a week or so ago on Hellebore seeds, I
just thought I'd reiterate how easy and worthwhile these are. Mine are
getting past their best now, but they have given a lovely show. H. X
nigercors has been particularly lovely - it has the large white flowers of
H.niger and the robust habit and attractive leaf of H.argutifolius
(formerly corsicus). 

Commercial hellebore plants for sale in garden centres tend to be seed
raised (division is too slow a means of propagation) but unfortunately the
growers aren't very selective and many plants are poor quality. Helleborus
'orientalis' (a whole mishmash of species and hybrids is cultivated under
this name) is almost infinitely variable, with no two plants having
exactly the same combination of flower shape, spotting and colour, so it
really is worth visiting a specalist nursery and choosing plants while
they are in flower. Alternatively, if you can get seed from a reputable
source, you are bound to get some good plants (at least I hope so - I have
a load of seedlings in the cold frame as I write!). I visited R.D.Plants
(an excellent local nursery) over the weekend, and some of his plants were
simply ravishing.

Seed is easy to germinate but, like many woodland plants, should be sown
as soon as it possible after ripening. I sow mine in the usual way, in
pots in the cold frame with the seed separated from the compost by a 5mm
layer of silver sand to improve drainage around the seed (this helps stop
the seeds rotting in the wet). I then forget about them until spring. Mine
are just sending up their first true leaves now.... It's all very
exciting! 

Meantime, the main explosion of spring flowers is really starting;
Cardamines, Scillas, Erythroniums, Narcissi, Muscari etc. More of that
when I next get time!

Tristan
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