Re: Lenten rose/gene slate blue?

Elle,
Hellebore seed germinates readily if planted fresh - as in as soon as
it is ripe - and left outside.  Germination happens either in late
fall, winter or early spring, depending on where you garden and what
the weather is - they don't require stratification if sown fresh, so
your climate isn't the problem; saving them until fall for planting
is the problem.  They'll come up like mustard and cress if planted
fresh.  If you dry the seed, you extend the time for germination to
possibly never.  I've got some pots of seed from Chilterns that I've
finally given up on after 7 years.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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> From: eleanor <eleanor@easystreet.com>
> Date: Saturday, May 13, 2000 9:46 PM
> 
> Hi Gene-I',m totally fascinated about the thought of slate blue
> helleborus-haven't seen it here in oregon at any of the big plant
sales.
>  Do you have seeds or seedlings?  I went to your site but the seeds
link
> don't download.
> I am beginning to covet slate blue helleborus!
> I did get an interesting sort of variegated cream bloom this year
from a
> 3 year old seed.
> I wonder if your success is because you have colder winters there. 
I
> sometimes put my seeds in the freezer (and sometimes they get
tossed out
> too) before planting out.  You mentioned to plant the seeds when
> fresh-sometimes I wait to plant 'till fall.  Could this explain my
poor
> germination % last year?
> Elle Z8 oregon
> gene wrote
> 
> >     My slate-blues bloomed for the first time this year.. started
them from seed 5
> > years ago. if you are the patient type and want to play with
seeds, there are many
> 
>
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