Re: what to plant with Hellebore
- To:
- Subject: Re: what to plant with Hellebore
- From: M* T*
- Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 02:32:46 -0500
You're quite right, Dean....need to use something that is also above
ground at the same time that Hellebores are.
Today being fairly mild for a change, I did a walk around and noticed
huge fat basil rosettes of leaves from good old Digitalis purpurea
all over the place, just emerging from two weeks of snow cover. If
your climate permits these guys to stay green all winter, they might
make a decent backdrop for Hellebores, being a nice lettuce green.
Another plant - woody this time - that works nicely with Hellebores
is Pieris japonica 'Variegata' (Dirr says zones 5-8 and 4 with
protection). This cultivar is, I find, even more slow growing than
the species, tho' Dirr does say it will reach 10 or 12 feet with age.
I've got a group of the plain species that are around 10' tall after
about 20 years. But, my variegated one is only about 2.5 feet tall
after at least 6 years and maybe more. They like the same conditions
as Hellebores - or vice versa...
Might also consider the good old Christmas fern, Polystichum
acrostichoides as a backdrop. They retain their fronds all winter
and would provide a lighter green background - as, indeed would any
of the evergreen ferns.
Did someone mention Arum italicum? If not, that would also be good
as it is in full growth during winter - esp. the more variegated
varieties like 'Marmoratum' or 'Pictum' (tho' I think they are really
the same). Only for zones 6-10, tho', not much colder (maybe 5 in a
sheltered spot).
The soft yellow colored shade loving grass, Millium effusum, is a
cool weather grower. It might go dormant in deep winter, but will
begin growth early - has its brightest color in spring, too.
Any of the variegated Carex would also provide an evergreen contrast
in color - if hardy - some are hardy to zones 5 and 6 and some only
to 7 or 8, but they are grand plants for shady spots. The really low
growing white/green variegated Carex Morrowii albomarginata var.
expallida would work very nicely to set off dark red Hellebore
flowers, I should think.
Somebody did mention snowdrops - Galanthus...now, that would be
lovely. I need to do this; my clump needs splitting anyway. I can
just see a pool of white snowdrops with a dark red Hellebore in the
middle....
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
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> From: Dean Sliger <deanslgr@kode.net>
> To: perennials@mallorn.com
> Subject: Re: what to plant with Hellebore
> Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2000 7:50 PM
>
> I agree that Artemisias, especially the low growing ones like
'Silver Brocade'
> would greatly enhance the impact of Hellebore flowers, however most
Artemisias
> are dormant during the November-March time period in which the
various
> Hellebores bloom. Perovskia is also dormant during that time
period and, at
> 4-5' tall, would overwhelm even the largest Hellebores.
>
> Ginny makes a good point in that Artemisia and Perovskia have
significantly
> different cultural requirements than most Hellebores. One of them
would end up
> being unhappy.
>
> Dean Sliger
> Warren, MI, USA
> Zone 6B
>
>
> Ginny wrote:
>
> > Shelia,
> >
> > Your suggestions to Val would look great together, but I'm not
sure how
> > practical that combo would be. When I think hellebores, I think,
part
> > shade, rich, moist, well-drained. When I think about artemisia
it's sun,
> > average, well-drained soil. Ditto for perovskia, but make it a
little
> > drier.
> >
> > To be really successful at gardening, we all need to really think
about the
> > plants that we are grouping together. We will all have more
exuberant
> > gardens if we plant according to the plants needs, not our needs.
> >
> > Try the hellebores at the feet of shrubs (P.J.M. Rhododendron's
leaves would
> > provide a nice contrast) or plants amongst snow drops, crocuses,
species
> > tulips, primroses, etc. Something like Kahonechloa macra
'Aureola' (a
> > variegated grass with a weeping nature) would look stunning
behind
> > hellebores. They have the same cultural requirements. The
yellow of the
> > grass would draw the eye to that part of the garden forcing you
to look at
> > both plants together. Add some yellow bulbs or primroses and
presto chango,
> > you have an interesting composition.
> >
> > Hope that helps a bit.
> >
> > Ginny (zone 6 in PA)
> >
> >
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