Helleborus 2014

[Leena]

Very nice collection of species Helleborus.

I have only one flowering age species plant, and it is one which I have bought with the name H.orientalis ssp abhasicus. It is the first to flower and it already had big flower buds when the winter came. I have covered the plant, buds and all, with dry oak leaves and they are now under the snow, but I am positive, it will start to flower as soon as the snow melts away.
This is an older picture, and I was wondering if anyone can confirm that it is ssp abhasicus, not purpurascens or something else, because I'm not sure of what it is.

[ian mcenery]

yes it is H.torq.'Stripey', years ago I bought it from Washfield Nursery
here 2 others from Elisabeth Strangman:

Hi Chris very nice torquatus type doubles do they have names? I bought some similar from another nursery who bought theirs from Washfield and occasionally they do well in the garden though are inclined to growth at odd times which can spoil the display.

Good to see your plants again


Leena very nice I raised  some of these from Will McLewin seed they are nice plants from a place not easy to access these days

[Maggi Young]

I have added the photo file names to the text of all Cris' posts.

[chris]

thank you Maggi, I will remember for next time

[Maggi Young]

thank you Maggi, I will remember for next time

My pleasure to  have the chance to  see more of  your plants, Chris   

[johnralphcarpenter]

Helleborus x sternii 'Blackthorn Strain'

[Tim Ingram]

Leena - I haven't grown ssp. abchasicus but your plant has all the right characteristics - deep purple colour and very early flowering. A super looking plant to look forward to when the snow clears!

[johnralphcarpenter]

Here's one I saw in the Picos de Europa in June 2010. Can anyone identify? The local expert, Teresa Farino, says Helleborus foetidus, but I suspect it may be H. occidentalis.

[David Nicholson]

Hoping to get to Rodney Davey's nursery before the end of the season

http://www.independent.co.uk/property/gardening/deep-purple-there-are-hellebores--and-then-there-are-rodney-daveys-hellebores-6940785.html

[Tim Murphy]

Here's one I saw in the Picos de Europa in June 2010. Can anyone identify? The local expert, Teresa Farino, says Helleborus foetidus, but I suspect it may be H. occidentalis.

That is definitely H. foetidus, Ralph.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Yes, Tom Mitchell says so as well. That'll teach me to question an expert!

[Leena]

Leena - I haven't grown ssp. abchasicus but your plant has all the right characteristics - deep purple colour and very early flowering. A super looking plant to look forward to when the snow clears!

Thank you Ian and Tim for confirming that it is  Helleborus ssp abhasicus. I love the hybrid hellebores but there is something about the true species (of any plants)!
It is characteristic to it that it's leaves don't stay so good over the winter as x hybridus leaves, and if there is very cold weather without snow, then the leaves go black.
It flowers so early that in some years I haven't gotten any seeds from it (I think it is because of frosts during flowering time.. and no pollinators), but last year I got seeds which are now sown, and I have also one seedling from few years back. I grow it away from my H x hybridus, but of course there is a chance of bees going back and forth.  But I hope at least the first flowers of this plant are pollinated by itself.

[annew]

Hoping to get to Rodney Davey's nursery before the end of the season

http://www.independent.co.uk/property/gardening/deep-purple-there-are-hellebores--and-then-there-are-rodney-daveys-hellebores-6940785.html

Funny you should write that, David. Taken this morning:
Helleborus Penny's Pink (Rodney Davey Marbled Group)

[David Nicholson]

From what I have read Anne he has some lovely stuff. Here's his 'Anna's Red', from the same Marbled Group, and named for Anna Pavord, taken at Rosemoor last February. Wonder if it will ever be dry enough to go again?

[annew]

Hmm, wonder what Beth Chatto's Dry Garden is like just now. Last time we went it threw it down the whole day. We almost asked for our money back.