Re: what to plant with Hellebore
Also possibly one of the many Liriope species/cultivars, or one of the
evergreen Asarums. Either would appreciate the same growing conditions
as Hellebores.
Dean Sliger
Warren, MI, USA
Zone 6B
Marge Talt wrote:
> 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
> Editor: Gardening in Shade
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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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