Re: Help identifying hellebores?

I don't think there is a formal color classification system, just
more or less accepted color designations.  Color is so very
subjective and can often engender some lively debate as to what is
what, particularly with the reds, dark color forms and
apricot/yellows:-)  

Another color issue is that all of them are variable.  The same plant
will show flowers of differing shades from first flowering to
maturity of plant as well as from first opening to full flush to
fading on the same mature plant - all of them tend to fade to green
as they go over.

You are *such* a perfectionist when it comes to photos!!!!

I find white stands out from a distance as do the pale greeny/yellow
flowers of H. foetidus and H. argutifolius, whereas the darker reds,
purples, blues and blacks sort of blend into the mulch.  Think the
dark flowers (which I love) need to be surrounded by something light
so they stand out.  Have not gotten just what to use to do that
figured out to my satisfaction yet.  

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
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----------
> From: Christopher P. Lindsey <lindsey@mallorn.com>
> 
> > Nice pix, Chris...what are you apologizing for?  If half of my
photos
> > came out a quarter as good as yours do!...
> 
> They could be a *lot* better.  :)
> 
> > Your first one is a red...I would imagine UK breeder, Graham
Birkin
> > would call it a dark red.  Very nice, rich color IMO.
> > 
> > Second is a pink (looks a very nice pink, fading back to green as
> > most do in your photo), third a lovely white and your last is a
> > spotted white.  Spotted is definitely a separate type of form.
> 
> I was really impressed with the dark red and pure white ones.  They
> really stood out in their gardens!
> 
> > Graham separates his hybrids into color groupings as well as
doubles,
> > anemone, picotee and spotted.
> 
> OK.  I looked at his site before sending the mail, but couldn't
quite
> figure out if his color groupings were arbitrary or accepted.  For
example,
> he lists some as 'slate' and I've seen others selling 'slate'
hellebores,
> so I was curious if that was a formal color
definition/classification 
> or just something that everyone just kind of agrees on.
> 
> > So, in answer to your actual question, FWIW, I'd label them:
> > 
> > H. x hybridus dark red
> > H. x hybridus pink
> > H. x hybridus white
> > H. x hybridus spotted white
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Chris
> 
> http://www.hort.net/gallery/      2485 online plant photos and
growing!
> http://www.hort.net/gallery/date/2002-03-24/       The latest
additions
> 
>
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