Re: RE:Hellebore companions
Hello Marilyn,
So many companions to go with Hellebore! Hard to name just a few.... In one
location I have Solomon's Seal with H. garden hybrids. They do not bloom at the
same time, but I like the foliage contrast with the SS doing their graceful arch
over the coarse toothed foliage of the hellebore. In another location I have
hellebore niger backed by Ostrich ferns and weaving throughout Omphalodes verna
and Mother of Thousands. On the upper level there are Trilliums, Hosta, ferns and
Primula. Lungwort is a good companion. I believe my favorite combination is
woodland Primula and Trilliums, backed by ferns.
The H. niger Sunset Red is located beneath a deciduous holly with anemone
nemorosa and columbine in blue. The Sunset Red strain seeds were wild collected by
Will McLewin. Since they are from seeds, the content of the color red in each
plant varies. I have selected one for my garden that comes out a good deep pink
and ages into a brick red.
Gene Bush Southern Indiana Zone 6a Munchkin Nursery
around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Marilyn Dube <maridube@teleport.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 04, 1999 5:09 PM
Subject: RE:Hellebore companions
> Hi Gene,
> Like you I have extensive shade, so I grow Hellebores in several places
> around my garden. Companion plants are Geranium phaeum 'Lily Lovell', Carex
> comans Bronze Form and Frosty Curls, Vancouveria, Brunnera macrophylla,
> Begonia grandis, Cimicifuga Brunette, Polemonium (blue & white), Euphorbias,
> Astilbes and of course Hostas.
> My favorite combination, in the rockery out front, is a huge clump of pure
> white H. orientalis 25+years old under a mature snow white Magnolia
> soulangiana both of which are in full bloom in March-April. There are
> February Gold Daffodils, blue Phlox subulata, white Iberis sempervirens and
> yellow Basket of Gold trailing over the stone wall with the emerging new
> growth of several different Hostas and Astilbes around the tree. Sadly,
> there is almost always a hail storm that knocks the Magnolias all to heck,
> but hail doesn't faze the Hellebores.
> I will be anxious to hear how the H. niger Sunset Red performs for you. I
> have not seen this one but it sounds beautiful.
> Marilyn Dube'
> Natural Designs Nursery
> Portland, Oregon 97206
> Zone 8b
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