Right now one of my favorite plants is starting to bloom…Helleborus orientalis, aka Lenten Rose. Hellebore, and the many hybrids, add color and texture to the winter and spring garden. They prefer partial or full shade and usually need regular, moderate water.
The reason I like hellebores so much is that they have attractive, leathery foliage low to the ground. Most gardens need some interesting texture and I find that Hellborus fits that need well.
I think they look best in groups of three to five under a tree or in spot where you can see the bell-shaped white, pink, purple, green or cream flowers through the window in the winter. It’s lovely to see something blooming mid to late winter.
Design-wise hellebore fit nicely into a woodland-style garden but I have used them in a Mediterranean garden – the thick, leathery leaves mix in well with olives, succulents and salvias.
Now is a good time to go to a well-stocked nursery and check out the color selection.
