topic Re: HELEBORES in Garden

HELEBORES

mousiegirl — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 17:35:02 GMT

Here are a few plants that I bought last year, so this is their first blooming. Many are still too small, so hopefully next year they will bloom.

Re: HELEBORES

tweets12 — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 19:06:04 GMT

They are beautiful

Re: HELEBORES

Lilysmom — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 19:17:33 GMT

@mousiegirl, my sister gave me one. I will have to check it out. It is an early bloomer here. Love those! It is in the hardest to clean bed I have. It is on a big hill under big oak, maple and birch trees so it is full of leaves. As much as I hate to clean it, it is so pretty that I keep it going.

The purple is lovely. LM

Re: HELEBORES

Trix — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 20:42:54 GMT

I planted a couple of Hellebores last year as an experiement in my garden to see if how well they do in a mostly shady section of my garden, which is also in the path of salt spray in the winter. I see one of them has survived winter, but no above ground sign of its companions, but I can feel something when I touch the ground where they are planted. Perhaps I'll be able to make a better assessment when our weather becomes more consistently spring cool rather than wintry. If they work out Hellebores are available in several colors and would offer attractive early spring color to this space until it's time for the begonias and coleus.

Re: HELEBORES

mousiegirl — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 20:51:44 GMT

@Trix wrote:
I planted a couple of Hellebores last year as an experiement in my garden to see if how well they do in a mostly shady section of my garden, which is also in the path of salt spray in the winter. I see one of them has survived winter, but no above ground sign of its companions, but I can feel something when I touch the ground where they are planted. Perhaps I'll be able to make a better assessment when our weather becomes more consistently spring cool rather than wintry. If they work out Hellebores are available in several colors and would offer attractive early spring color to this space until it's time for the begonias and coleus.

@Trix They do like shade, maybe morning sun, and afternoon shade. I bought different colors and some with ruffles, darker edges, etc., but they are still small and young, so maybe next year. I always put young plants in pots and let them grow for a year for a better survival rate once in the ground.

Re: HELEBORES

Lilysmom — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 21:38:19 GMT

@Trix, when I read your post, I thought primulas would be nice in your spot. They easily add a lot of color. Also, have you tried Japanese forest grass, All Gold is my favorite but variegated is nice too. Very showy all summer long adding vibrant color with little effort.

All Gold is below. They like afternoon shade. One of the few perennials that thrive in this conditions.

@mousiegirl, snow tomorrow...LM

Re: HELEBORES

Trix — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 22:25:25 GMT

@Lilysmom Your photo is beautiful. My garden space is urban city highrise so the garden design in front is more like what you would see for commercial buildings. The patio can be more expressive, but I don't have the same lighting issues there.

I tried Primulas several years ago and they did not work to my satisfaction. I already have ferns in the area, so do not want to add more. I want something low to the ground as this space is the front row of a large area and the design is a typical short to tall from front to back. I also need the front section to be the flowering part of the space since the hostas, ferns, and the tall shrubs do not. I can always just continue to use pansies early until it's time for the annuals, but the older I get the fewer annuals I want to bother with.

@mousiegirl I can't do preseason pots for growing things because I don't want to turn my apartment into a greenhouse. Everything I plant has to start outside and stay outside.

Re: HELEBORES

Lilysmom — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 22:30:37 GMT

@Trix, I understand. The only other thoughts I Have ta the moment would be either carnations or heather. They are generally low to the ground. I’ll keep an eye out for candidates as my garden comes alive this spring. LM

Re: HELEBORES

mousiegirl — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 22:56:42 GMT

@Trix wrote:
@Lilysmom Your photo is beautiful. My garden space is urban city highrise so the garden design in front is more like what you would see for commercial buildings. The patio can be more expressive, but I don't have the same lighting issues there.

I tried Primulas several years ago and they did not work to my satisfaction. I already have ferns in the area, so do not want to add more. I want something low to the ground as this space is the front row of a large area and the design is a typical short to tall from front to back. I also need the front section to be the flowering part of the space since the hostas, ferns, and the tall shrubs do not. I can always just continue to use pansies early until it's time for the annuals, but the older I get the fewer annuals I want to bother with.

@mousiegirl I can't do preseason pots for growing things because I don't want to turn my apartment into a greenhouse. Everything I plant has to start outside and stay outside.

@Trix Outside is where I grow all plants, but I start them off in garden center pots or clay pots outside.

Re: HELEBORES

BirkiLady — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 02:24:38 GMT

@mousiegirl Have you tried Coral Bells? (Can't remember the latin name. It also begins with an "H") Lovely colorful leaves from almost black to vivid limes to rusts to deep burgendy and flower stalks about 20-24" high with delicate white or sometimes pink flowers. They are great perennials with year-round interest in some areas. Prefer a partially shady location. I have them with hosta plants, ferns, etc., and am in Zone 5-B.

Re: HELEBORES

skuggles — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 02:33:16 GMT

mine are in full bloom.... they get larger ... don't you just love them! Mine are so hardy. Enjoy!

Re: HELEBORES

mousiegirl — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 03:24:38 GMT

@BirkiLady wrote:
@mousiegirl Have you tried Coral Bells? (Can't remember the latin name. It also begins with an "H") Lovely colorful leaves from almost black to vivid limes to rusts to deep burgendy and flower stalks about 20-24" high with delicate white or sometimes pink flowers. They are great perennials with year-round interest in some areas. Prefer a partially shady location. I have them with hosta plants, ferns, etc., and am in Zone 5-B.

@BirkiLady Yes, I have at least thirty plants. I also have hostas, ferns, ajuga, all sorts of shade plants for the one shady area I have, the rest is in blazing sun.

Re: HELEBORES

MillCreekPat — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 05:07:55 GMT

I cut all the leaves off in late January. That helps the blooms last longer!

Re: HELEBORES

Trix — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 13:00:28 GMT

@mousiegirl wrote:
@Trix wrote:
@Lilysmom Your photo is beautiful. My garden space is urban city highrise so the garden design in front is more like what you would see for commercial buildings. The patio can be more expressive, but I don't have the same lighting issues there.

I tried Primulas several years ago and they did not work to my satisfaction. I already have ferns in the area, so do not want to add more. I want something low to the ground as this space is the front row of a large area and the design is a typical short to tall from front to back. I also need the front section to be the flowering part of the space since the hostas, ferns, and the tall shrubs do not. I can always just continue to use pansies early until it's time for the annuals, but the older I get the fewer annuals I want to bother with.

@mousiegirl I can't do preseason pots for growing things because I don't want to turn my apartment into a greenhouse. Everything I plant has to start outside and stay outside.

@Trix Outside is where I grow all plants, but I start them off in garden center pots or clay pots outside.

@mousiegirl Thanks for the suggestion, but the only pots I'm allowed outside are decorator pots. The plants in those pots have to be thriving when I put them in. I live in an apartment building, so doing things I would definitely do to start plants in a private single family home are out.

I think since last week the problem has resolved. The Hellebores planted last year are up and out of the ground. Therefore the new plan is to add more Hellebores and I've found a petite Astilbe to border around them. I'll pop in some begonia or impatiens for summer color along our fence, and with the background of lush hostas and shrubs the section will be lovely.

Re: HELEBORES

Lilysmom — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 09:02:50 GMT

@Trix, sounds very nice. Post a photo so we can see. LM

Re: HELEBORES

sfnative — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 17:57:14 GMT

I'm on the Landscape Committee at our rather large townhouse community and was introduced to helebores by the Chair. Went to the Home and Garden show in February and saw some for the first time: Simply Gorgeous!

Since we had everything but our Japanese maple removed from our backyard last fall, I'm seriously considering a helebore bush, but haven't yet decided on a color.

Re: HELEBORES

mousiegirl — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 22:18:19 GMT

@sfnative wrote:
I'm on the Landscape Committee at our rather large townhouse community and was introduced to helebores by the Chair. Went to the Home and Garden show in February and saw some for the first time: Simply Gorgeous!

Since we had everything but our Japanese maple removed from our backyard last fall, I'm seriously considering a helebore bush, but haven't yet decided on a color.

@sfnative I live south of you, born in SF, schooled through grade school in SF, and raised on the peninsula.

Have you googled helebores, so many colors. Mine are still blooming, but eventually they will stop and just be green for the rest of the year, then die back.

Re: HELEBORES

mousiegirl — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 22:19:28 GMT

@MillCreekPat wrote:
I cut all the leaves off in late January. That helps the blooms last longer!

@MillCreekPat By dong that, you are removing the food source for the next year. The leaves should die back normally, but maybe you havn't noticed an issue.

Re: HELEBORES

sfnative — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 05:07:52 GMT

@mousiegirl

Small world! My husband's family had a great place quite near Emerald Lake in Redwood City, so he spent many happy years in such a wonderful hilly, adventuresome area. I loved SF when I was growing up, because there was no crime to speak of, lots of empty lots to play in, well, I could go on and on. Went to Laguna Honda Elementary on 7th AveBet. Judah & Irving, then onto Hoover and Lowell.

I've only seen varities of pink and gorgeous purple, so must google them. Thanks for the suggestion! Honestly think I must make sure to include at least one helebore in my backyard.

Re: HELEBORES

mousiegirl — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 17:35:55 GMT

@sfnative wrote:
@mousiegirl

Small world! My husband's family had a great place quite near Emerald Lake in Redwood City, so he spent many happy years in such a wonderful hilly, adventuresome area. I loved SF when I was growing up, because there was no crime to speak of, lots of empty lots to play in, well, I could go on and on. Went to Laguna Honda Elementary on 7th AveBet. Judah & Irving, then onto Hoover and Lowell.

I've only seen varities of pink and gorgeous purple, so must google them. Thanks for the suggestion! Honestly think I must make sure to include at least one helebore in my backyard.

@sfnative Yes, the helebores bloom when nothing else does unless one has bulbs growing, but they last longer than the bulbs, the flowers on mine are still looking good, so months and months of bloom, though each plant seems to produce all the blooms they will for the current season at one time.

I remember the names of the schools you mentioned. My Mother worked in SF, so I had to go to a private school which would accept me very early in the morning, and kept me until 5:30 or so, then a very long drive home, I hated it.

I threw a huge hissy fit regarding High School, telling my Mother I would bleach my hair blonde and run away from home if she forced me to go back to that school for High School, LOL, so she let me go to the neighborhood High School. I never had to study much for any test due to the load of homework I had at the private school, it was an excellent education, all girls, probably one of the reasons I hated it, lol.