Allotments 4 All

These are out in my garden at the moment...





So cheering to see when out in the gales!
;D

I love the colour of your Hellebore, saddad, and so healthy looking too.  What variety is it?

G x

Sorry Georgie I haven't got a clue... I do veg by names not flowers
;D

It looks like the common 'Lenten Rose' or Helleborus orientalis of gardens. It's an extremely variable hybrid which can be anything from greenish-white to deep purple. In all it's variations, it's very well worth having, as you can see.

Thanks Rob., that's the name I would have given it!
::)

I have one little Hellebore (also of the un-named came with the house variety) going great guns under the front hedge.  I almost forget it's there till I go poking around picking up all the litter that sweeps in from the street.

And I have one snowdrop in bloom (just the one) that I discovered in a tub yesterday.

I'm thrilled that anything has bothered it's backside in this weather.

A nice reminder of what will be happening in just a month or so.

;D

My  'winter' hellebores usually flower about the new year, darker colours first, then the whiter ones.

I think the Helleborus in the picture is H Atrorubens.  I have one in my garden that is flowering at the moment.

The Lenten Rose, H Orientalis, whilst showing new growth, is quite a way off flowering yet.

Quote from: valmarg on January 23, 2007, 21:36:27


The Lenten Lily, H Orientalis, whilst showing new growth, is quite a way off flowering yet.

Mine have started flowering.

Quote from: valmarg on January 23, 2007, 21:36:27
I think the Helleborus in the picture is H Atrorubens.  I have one in my garden that is flowering at the moment.

The Lenten Rose, H Orientalis, whilst showing new growth, is quite a way off flowering yet.

Interesting, I must double check mine. I have plants coming out in a range of purples, but the off-white ones are far off yet.

It's not the true atrorubens, which is uncommon in gardens. But the name is also used of red garden hybrids. Maybe 'H x hybridus' would be a better portmanteau term for all these confusing plants!

dandelion. I think the fact that you are c. 150 miles south of here has some bearing on the fact that your H Orientalis are flowering now.

Having been to Chelsea Flower Show in the past, it was like leaving late winter here and travelling into early summer.

Where you live makes quite a difference.

Sorry R_B, but my H atrorubens was purchased from Bridgemere Garden Centre  c. 15-20 years ago as H atrorubens (when Bridgemere was a 'garden centre').   It flowers very early, and has been known to be in flower for Christmas, together with H niger.

The H Orientalis I have has a very dark maroon coloured flower, whilst showing new growth, will not be flowering for a few weeks yet.

R_B, going off at a slight tangent, living in Birmingham, you cannot be far from Ashwood Nurseries, which specialises in H Orientalis and hardy cyclamen.  It is a place I would love to visit.

Not far, as you say; it's out to the west, just about on the edge of the area covered by the A to Z.

I think the fact that it was taken after dark may be making it look better than it really is!
;D