The first blooms to greet us each spring are those of the Helleborus orientalis. And on cue, they are blooming once again, welcoming in spring. As always they are a delight to see.
It’s best to buy hellebores when they’re blooming, so you know exactly what color and form of flower you’re getting. It’s also best to buy them as full-size plants because they are slow growers. We have the Helleborus orientalis ‘White Lady’, ‘Blue Lady’, ‘Yellow Lady’ and ‘Pink Lady’ in pots, in bloom, for sale and will be open on Saturday and Sunday, March 21st, 22nd 9-12 or any other day by appointment to see the hellebores in our display gardens and to purchase them.
Read all about these hardy perennials in this recent Litchfield Magazine article, ‘Gone to Hellebores–These flowers are harbingers of spring’, by Tovah Martin.In it she calls us the headquarters for hellebores. She also includes the following helpful planting instructions:
When planting in the garden, find a location that is moist but well-drained and fertile. That said, hellebores tolerate poor soil, but might not perform optimally if not well-fed. They dote on partial shade, especially from deciduous trees that furnish filtered sunbeams in spring when they’re high prime.
Best time for pruning is now!