So intent was I on viewing the bulbs popping through the soil that I had missed my other jewels in the ground. The Hellebores have quietly and without fuss opened up & are beautiful to see. In February's 'Country Living' magazine there is an interesting article on breeding outward-facing hellebores. One of the grumbles about hellebores is that their somewhat shy appearance (the pendant habit of the blooms means you have to lift the head to see it properly) stops them from being enjoyed as much. I've seen cut hellebore heads floating in a glass bowl of water to appreciate their markings and shape but I have a few in the garden which happily look up and out into the world rather than hiding their faces. There was a question on Gardener's Question Time this week about black spot on hellebores and they advised cutting down all the affected growth in November but that really it was better to dig them out and start again with fresh stock. The Country Living article recommends growing hellebores in pots but ensuring they are feed twice as much as those grown in the ground.It states, "Grown in the ground they do well in full sun in a clay soil, but in lighter soil partial shade is better - too much shade, thought, and they won't flower well.
I'm of the opinion in some way that I was better not to research everything before I started growing anything because I would have been too concerned to let my creative side just go with it. Now of course, it's too late - I am hooked on gardening. It's only now, as I go along, that I have learnt to do things properly. Most things will do their best to survive though so don't be afraid to try anything.
Alongside my dark beauties, purple-black heads in clusters which seemed to have sprung up overnight I also have Bradfield Green with red dots but I'm cosseting and absolutely adore Bradfield purple/black. I shan't be buying it though, I've a holiday to save up for and I know that come May I will be able to resist buying plants no longer and shall be tempted to purchase more foxgloves.
I'm of the opinion in some way that I was better not to research everything before I started growing anything because I would have been too concerned to let my creative side just go with it. Now of course, it's too late - I am hooked on gardening. It's only now, as I go along, that I have learnt to do things properly. Most things will do their best to survive though so don't be afraid to try anything.
Alongside my dark beauties, purple-black heads in clusters which seemed to have sprung up overnight I also have Bradfield Green with red dots but I'm cosseting and absolutely adore Bradfield purple/black. I shan't be buying it though, I've a holiday to save up for and I know that come May I will be able to resist buying plants no longer and shall be tempted to purchase more foxgloves.
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