Here come the hellebores!
Actually, the hellebores have been doing their thing for a good week now, but I’ve been down and out with the flu—possibly from crawling around on my belly in the cold, wet grass taking pictures of hellebores.
They were definitely worth skipping a couple of toilet flushes back in July so I could water them during the drought, don’t you think?
This clump is far ahead of the others, probably because it’s where I dumped the old bowl of dog water all summer. It also gets the most sun year-round. I’m starting to think I’ve been led astray by the common gardening wisdom that hellebores should be planted in shade. In fact, I think that’s a big, fat lie. I wonder how these rumors get started?
And what’s with me always getting sick before major gardening events? Last year, I was too sick for the tulip festival, and now I’m missing the Northwest Flower & Garden show. Maybe those events are just too much pressure for the sorry gardener.
Fortunately, Tatyana over at My Secret Garden is posting some photos from the show, if you want to know what we’re missing.
Meanwhile, I’m heading back out to the hellebores to soak up a little sunshine and heal.
These are totally gorgeous. I’m sorry you’ve been sick but glad you’re feeling better. Here’s to better days (and many more hellebores) ahead.
jodi (bloomingwriter) said this on February 6, 2010 at 1:33 PM |
Those photos were worth crawling around on your belly. Absolutely beautiful ! Get better real soon -:)
Auntie Shirley said this on February 6, 2010 at 5:27 PM |
Again, totally jealous, Kelly! These photos are spectacular! Down with the flu…me too! I’m determined not to miss the Philly Flower Show though! Hope you’re back to crawling in the dirt soon
lynnsgarden said this on February 7, 2010 at 4:25 AM |
These are beautiful. I’ve tried to grow them several times and they die. I wonder like you whether it is because I had them in the shade. I adore them. I’m going to try them in the sun/partial shade next. Thank you!
CeciAnn said this on February 7, 2010 at 9:19 AM |
I love all the variety of coloring you get with hellebores. They probably do need sun in other places, but NW sun isn’t like Virginia sun. A lot of shade plants will grow here in the sun if given enough water.
Deirdre said this on February 7, 2010 at 10:07 AM |
Beautiful flowers. I may even go to the garden center and try them at the side of my house. Me who isn’t a gardner. But mine won’t get much sun with all the trees. Feel better soon.
Ma Bell said this on February 7, 2010 at 1:50 PM |
Lovely photos, Kelly. Glad you’re feeling better.
Barbara said this on February 7, 2010 at 2:22 PM |
Hi, Kelly, wow your blog is a beauty. Fab fotos and those hellebores are heaven.
Carolyn Parker said this on February 7, 2010 at 4:43 PM |
hi i am new here, the photos are really stunning, spectacular. I haven’t seen Hellebores but in blogsites like this, and i love them. May you be fully healthy now. Take care.
andea said this on February 11, 2010 at 9:33 PM |
Wow, those shots are spectacular!!!! Never seen helleboures look so awesome.
compostinmyshoe said this on February 14, 2010 at 8:57 AM |
Hi, just found your blog from some link and i admired it a lot. The photos are impressive. I like the first close up in this post. hellebores lovely blooms.
muhammad khabbab said this on February 17, 2010 at 2:16 AM |
I might just have a new favorite flower! These are gorgeous and purple IS the color of healing, although That doesn’t seem to have helped you…. Take care and keep snapping such beautiful pictures!
Mart said this on February 17, 2010 at 6:26 AM |
Thanks for visiting my blog! You definitely have my attention with these hellebore shots! I am sooo envious! We still have a snow on the ground. I have one “Niger” plant in bud, but that growth was stopped by two recent snowfalls! I too, love to take macro shots of the hellebores … yours is GREAT. I look forward to seeing/reading future posts.
Kari Lønning said this on February 21, 2010 at 12:26 PM |
I know in a few weeks the parade of hellebore photos will be flooding the blogasphere. Maybe if posters looked at these photos first, valuable band width could be saved, since few would compare to these. I am fighting the crud as well and today was my first day back to work, and boy was it rough.
Les said this on February 21, 2010 at 5:03 PM |
Thanks, Les. A compliment like that makes the muddy knees worth the extra laundry … and certainly makes me more inclined to work for my shots. Much appreciated.
sorrygardener said this on February 21, 2010 at 7:03 PM |