Looking for species hellebores

[Roberto G]

Hello to you all. I am a SRGC member from Italy and I am particularly interested in growing and breeding hellebores.
Could anyone help me finding species hellebore plants for sale / swap in the EU countries? Unfortunately Brexit made impossible to obtain these plants from UK nurseries or collectors. Thank you very much for help.
Roberto

[Jeffnz]

Hi Roberto
There are a number of hellebore species that are native to Italy. You may find the following link a useful guide.
https://thedrurys.com/services/latest-fact-sheets/70-hellebores-species-and-forms.
Wishing you a successful hunt, I can see how Brexit has impacted on your access To species plants from the UK.
jEFF

[Jeffnz]

https://www.postofficefarmnursery.com.au/
Hi Roberto
You could ask the above nursery if they wolud be prepared to supply you with seed, the nursery is located in Australia and dont usually sell , ttheir quailty is excellent, feel free to mention my name.
Jeff

[Roberto G]

Hi Jeff
Thank you very much for your suggestion! I will try and write them. I know that they grow beautiful hybrids, I am not sure if they have any species hellebores.
Roberto

[Kathy1987]

Hi Roberto,
Jelitto Seeds offers also seeds of some hellebore species, they’re located in Germany. Therefore it might be easier to get seeds without the risk of being confiscated by customs.

Best regards
Katharina

[Jeffnz]

While Jellito do offer hellebore species seeds there is no guarantee that they are freshly collected, fresh seed is the only way to guarantee a decent germination rate.

[Vinny 123]

There is "fresh" and there is "fresh". That said, I have had plenty of hybrid, and a few species, Hellebore seed from society seed distributions and Archibald, that has germinated freely, which will have been dry-stored for several months.

Presumably you are implying that some commercial suppliers keep stock for more than one year? I have never sown Hellebore seed that has been dry-stored for longer than several months so can't comment on longevity.