Hellebores are truly winter\u2019s most interesting evergreen perennial.\u00a0 We can have color from any time between December through April when nothing else is growing let alone in bloom.\u00a0 Not only do hellebores bloom at a time of year when we are desperate for some color, they are also deer resistant.<\/p>\n
We just experienced our coldest January on record in our region.\u00a0 This extreme cold temperatures and wind chill factors have given hellebores a challenge.\u00a0 Most are showing some dried, dead foliage.\u00a0 What happened was that our ground froze in early January.\u00a0 With frozen ground, the roots were not able to send up moisture to the leaves.\u00a0 Consequently, the leaves dried up in the cold.<\/p>\n
This past weekend I took advantage of our spring-like weather and walked around my gardens.\u00a0 Yes, my hellebores look terrible right now.\u00a0 I am sure yours may look just as bad as mine.\u00a0 But, in looking closer I could see new growth buds and some flowers forming.\u00a0 They are reviving with these sunny, warmer days that we are now experiencing.\u00a0 Hopefully, you can see new growth and flowers on yours as well.\u00a0 And, this is an ok time to remove this older, withered foliage.<\/p>\n
Here is what you need in order to be successful in growing hellebores.\u00a0 First, they need some shade and grow great under a canopy of trees.\u00a0 Secondly, they need to be planted in a rich, compost soil that drains well.\u00a0 If you have an area that has these two criteria then you can plant these wonderful perennials.<\/p>\n
There are thousands of varieties of hellebores.\u00a0 Every year new varieties become available to a garden center.\u00a0 Right now we must have 25 to 30 varieties outside in our nursery.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hellebores make great companion plants to other popular shade-loving perennials such as hostas, astilbes, ferns, etc.<\/p>\n
If you are ready to try hellebores in your shade garden, you can plant today.\u00a0 Our soil is no longer frozen.\u00a0 Our plants are beginning to show color and new growth.<\/p>\n