some early hellebores

[Gerry]

Dark and veined torquatus are a bit of a catch 22. We like the dark and veined ones so most of us select for that, which then becomes 'what they are'. I suspect that many people would assume that green seedlings are hybrids.

Its the same with any form of selective breeding. I have Norwich and Lizard canaries in my shed. You'd never know that they were the same species.

Lizards http://www.dtalizardcanary.co.uk/photosof_winning_lizards.html

Norwich http://www.rparker.free-online.co.uk/scot-nor/cangalary.htm

[assybish]

Unless the exact provenance of the parents are known and hand pollination is carried out they should be regarded as x hybridus. True species should be reserved for plants from wild collected seed of known provenance or hand pollinated seed from such plants anything else is to be regarded as hybridus as anything green and veined is not H. torquatus there are green veined croaticus, atrorubens, dumetorum etc ass well as x hybridus so morphology is not to be used to confirm species status. This is why there are many plants being sold/exchangeed as helleborus species which are  not species.
Torquatus as currently designated can vary from pure green to black with/ withoit veins and spots. This is one of the reasons its designation as a single species is being questioned together with the wide geographical distribution of plants called this at present.

[ian mcenery]

Ian, that second one is amazing. Here are a couple that are coming into bloom here now. Under the current classification, a lot of very variable populations are included. Lesley's description is pretty spot on. Not all young leaves are dark but many are.

Joseph - Thanks I like it too 

[Michael J Campbell]

I have Norwich and Lizard canaries in my shed.

Ah, that brings some old memories,I used to keep over 100 border canaries in what is now my potting shed. Had to give up showing because of all the travelling in the bad weather during the winter. I have a nice big bag of Rosettes hid in a wardrobe though, just to keep the memory alive.

[Gerry]

I have Norwich and Lizard canaries in my shed.

Ah, that brings some old memories,I used to keep over 100 border canaries in what is now my potting shed. Had to give up showing because of all the travelling in the bad weather during the winter. I have a nice big bag of Rosettes hid in a wardrobe though, just to keep the memory alive.

Got a self green border hen at the weekend, to cross with a cinny Norwich for muling birds. Go on Michael, get a few borders

[Michael J Campbell]

Don't be tempting me,they are easier to look after in the winter than South African bulbous plants. Had some nice Lady Gouldian finches as well, I really liked those.

[Peppa]

The double is "dido" from Elizabeth Strangman.

This is the quite famous 'Dido,' isn't it! Does it set seed well?

Do you happen to grow 'Aeneas'? I haven't seen any pictures of it and would love to.

[ian mcenery]

Here only a couple showing.

Nice Ashwood hybridus with close up and a yellow seedling. Most of the others are well behind

[Michael J Campbell]

The rain cleared today and I got the opportunity to take a few pics, bitter cold though, and the quality of the pictures decreases the colder my hands get.
All Ashwood hybs except the last one.

[Michael J Campbell]

A few more

4490 is Helleborus niger

[Michael J Campbell]

And more

[Michael J Campbell]

Last few

[Maggi Young]

Crikey, Michael... at least Ashwoods have somewhere to come if they suffer a crop failure. 
What a show!

[Michael J Campbell]

That is only the early ones Maggi. all he dark gray, slate, and so called black  colours come later.

[ashley]

All beauties Michael.  Very impressive.