Re: Lenten rose

Janet- as you probably know these plants take years to develop.  I do my
own propagating and color interest by brushing different species
together when the stamen are full of pollen and the seeds little.  I had
to purchase several different type, of which 'niger' is my favorite; a
lush dark purple.
I believe dividing is discouraged as they don't like to be disturbed
once settled in.  If you decide to divide, make sure you leave a large
root ball.  "Divide after flowering.  Sadly I lost 2 well developed
helleborus by dividing-I just don't do it any more, instead I show
patience and seed.
I collect seeds by bagging the flower gently-not attractive but it
works.  I save the seeds for fall planting
Once collected, I plant out the seeds in 1 gallon pots in light seeding
medium, plastic bag them and set them in a seedling area on the north
side of my house in a cold frame over winter.
In the spring I bring them into the garden room and wait-this is why I
need a greenhouse because these plants look like nothing is going on for
a year or so.
I have not had great success with germination rates, but am a novice at it.
If you hate you colors, look for 'niger'.  I have cross bread the 2-your
greenish white and a purple but won't know the results for a few years!!!!
elle-Z8-oregon

"Janet N. Yang" wrote:
> 
>    My Helleborus orientalis has taken off this year, after several years
> of one or two short-lived blooms and sparse foliage. Most of the flowers
> appear to be developing seed pods, even though there haven't been any
> bees yet.
>     How should this plant be propagated? Cuttings? Division?
>     I'd like the plant to self-sow; should I avoid using mulch around
> the plant?
>     By the way, my plant has a boring color range; the flowers are
> greenwish white and blend into the foliage. Are there more interesting
> species available?
> 
> Janet
> 
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