Re: [SG] Introduction

Marilyn,

It's true that hellebores don't like to be moved, but they can be.  Just
take a good rootball.  I have been in conversation with  hellebore breeder
Graham Birkin lately because this genus is the subject of my current series
of articles.  Surprisingly enough, he told me that they need to be lifted
and divided about every eight years as the center becomes woody.  This is
for the x hybridus (orientalis) cultivars - not H. foetidus, which is
caulescent in form and not divisible.

I have moved one and two year old H. foetidus successfully.  Their root
system is not the same as the x hybridus.  They have an undeveloped rhizome
with thin, wiry roots, whereas the x hybridus have a woody rhizome and
thick, fleshy roots that go deep;  x hybridus do not like to have their
roots disturbed, but will eventually recover, tho' it may take three years
for them to get over sulking about life.   I don't know about H. niger, as
I have not grown it, and it does not fit into either the caulescent or
acaulescent groups, according to breeder Will McLewin.

If your H. foetidus isn't too tall, you should be able to take a large
enough root ball so that if you replant right away it won't know what
happened.  You might have to stake it to keep the wind from rocking it
until it's re-established.  You will need to cut down the flowering stem
anyway, after blooms fade and the seed containing carpels swell, but it is
best to wait until you see new stem shoots starting to develop at the base
to do this and that's going to be at least June.

Best time to either divide or move the x hybridus lot is in August/Sept
just as they are starting to make new roots.  Perhaps you can do a deal
with the new buyers that would permit you to come back in fall and lift
them then.   If not, I can send a seedling or two with the mazus..

H. foetidus can be rather short-lived, compared to the x hybridus group,
but they seed so prolifically that they replace themselves.  Really lovely
plants IMO.  But, then, I have yet to meet a hellebore I didn't like ;-)

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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----------
> From: marilyn <marimuse@EARTHLINK.NET>
> Date: Friday, April 02, 1999 11:41 AM
>
> Hi, all, from Massachusetts, where the garden is beginning to come to
> life! I was thrilled to see some tiny hepatica that I bought from our
> own Gene Bush in bloom.  Also, the hellebores look wonderful.  Lots of
> foliage popping up and filling out quickly. Also blooming with its
> small rose-colored flowers is the corydalis.  I am most excited to
> have finally figured out what a plant that has been a mystery for
> several years is......Its straplike leaves stayed green all winter
> long, and it has some chartreuse flowers rimmed in pink coming off of
> a very thick stalk.  I just saw a picture that positively identifies
> it as a hellebore foetidus, stinking hellebore.  It has done really
> well.
>
> Now, here is my dilemma.....I am moving, finally, for those of you who
> I have shared gardening lists with for years, after a year and three
> quarters of looking, I have finally found a house....with a huge yard,
> shade AND sun (for the first time, I will be able to grow some
> sun-lovers).  But there is NO garden, just a few shrubs and a large
> yard.  I would love to take cuttings of some of the hellebores, both
> the lenten roses and the stinking hellebore....but I have heard that
> they do not like to be moved once they are established....any thoughts
> on this?
>
> Thanks, and happy Easter or Passover to all,
>
>     Marilyn
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