Re: Helleborus foetidus

I went out and measured some of my foetidus.  Most are 70 cm tall
(about 27 inches).  The first year they have one upright stem with
finely-cut, slightly curled-under leaves all the way up to the
flowers. The next year they seem to have two stems, and then about
four.  Mine don't flop, but the stems come along the ground a bit
before turning up and growing straight up.  This makes a nice bushy
plant.  Every year I cut out the old flowering stems.  They are a
handsomer plant compared to x hybridus.  x Hybridus leaves lie all
over the ground.  Of course, the flowers can't compare, but they are
pleasant and suited to the plant so that the whole makes one of those
rare plants (like Pieris and Skimmia) that always looks good.

Mine are currently growing on an unwatered bank along with rosemary,
cistus and kinnikinnick.

I did a Google Images search to try to find a picture on the web that
shows what my plants look like.  Most pictures are just of the
flowers and don't show the plant form.  The best is
http://www.beechesnursery.co.uk/Galleries/February/HellFoet.jpg

Diane Whitehead   Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
zone 8  cool mediterranean climate (dry summer, rainy winter)
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