Helleborus?

[Radio Free America]

Helleborus looks like a cool perennial for here in the Denver area. They say it blooms in late winter. How neat.

It's also supposed to be good for shade and part shade. The area where I'd like to plant some, is on an embankment that's mostly shaded by some trees in summer but of course they have no leaves in winter, but I guess that would be ok for this plant?

They also say it's evergreen. Really? Here in Denver or in southern climates?

But I see the seed sellers on Ebay are only selling a few seeds at a time and they're pricey. Why is that? It isn't one of those plants that's very hard to get seeds started for, is it?

Do the seeds take like 6 months to germinate or anything?

I like more of a sure thing, where I can just plant seeds and they go for it.

[madgardener]

[Doug Kanter]

How about just buying a ready-grown plant from a reliable LOCAL nursery? It's not an uncommon plant.

[Doug Kanter]

What a lousy post. You give her the business name, address, phone number and a person to speak to, and this is supposed to be helpful?

(just kidding) :)

[William Wagner]

Consider starting out with reasonable mature plants.

Mine have self seeded and four years later their babies are starting to bloom.

Fair Weather Gardens has a few different varieties. The below book lists many places. Watch out may turn you into a Hellebore lover ;))

Wonderful book perhaps in your library system.

Bill

Hellebores isbn 0-88192-266.-8

[Doug Kanter]

Do deer eat them, or aren't you in a deer zone, Bill? I'm just finding out why none of my neighbors have anything but evergreen shrubs, and my vegetable garden is wired like a prison yard.

[William Wagner]

Deer no problem so far. I made a mistake on the ISBN should be

0-88192-266-8 . These plants started blooming here about march 1 maybe Feb. 20.

Makes you realize that rebirth is on its way in dark times. Who can ask for more ?

There are many varieties . I'd look for upward facing blooms like I do with tree peonies. Pricey to start but sometimes we have to bit the bullet.

Another place to spend money below;))

Bill

[Doug Kanter]

Witch hazel is another like that. Saw one at Longwood Gardens many years ago, making flowers half the size of a dime, with a gorgeous scent in mid-March.

[William Wagner]

I have two witch hazels about. That seem to be prone to vole damage so I have to be vigilant. In a away we are just trying to extend the bloom. Lovers of beauty. In difficult times it is easier to see. Once the glut arrives we may have to throw out our early mistakes.

Being ruthless.

Bill

[Doug Kanter]

Voles? Do they climb? The witch hazels I saw were almost 7 feet high.

[William Wagner]

About the roots asshole.

Bill

[Doug Kanter]

Asshole? Hmm. Seems like everyone's drunk tonight. Is this the way you spoke to your family when they asked you things like "We just made popcorn. Want some?" Is this why they all left?

[Radio Free America]

But...I want helleborus! :)

[Radio Free America]

I checked with one. They don't have seedling size, only gallons, and they want $13 each!

[Radio Free America]

Actually Jackson Perkins has some deer proof flowering perennials in their catalog, like some nice deep blue monk's hood.

[Doug Kanter]

Here ya go - knock yourself out!

[Radio Free America]

Denver

that's

have

one

is

and

gallons,

What's wrong with this picture?

I can buy Hollyhock seeds for about $3 per 500, and they want $56 for 100 of those? And they can take 6 months to germinate?

[Doug Kanter]

- Does 56 cents per plant sound better than $13.00 each at a nursery?

- Is it possible they're not as easy to get seeds from than other plants?

- A google search for "hellebore seeds" turned up quite a few results. Have you tried that?

- Yes. They can take 6 months. They might also require stratification:

[madgardener]

[Radio Free America]

Sure, if they all germinate, and within a few weeks, not 6 months or a year later.

I will now.

One odd thing is that they say the plant likes shade, but in winter? There are no leaves on the trees to shade it then. How is that handled?

Hmm. Does that need to be done with these seeds, for success?