Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: chris on January 04, 2016, 07:44:12 PM

Title: Helleborus 2016
Post by: chris on January 04, 2016, 07:44:12 PM
here the most of the Hellebores are in flower
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: chris on January 04, 2016, 08:00:15 PM
and some nice doubles
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Graeme on January 04, 2016, 09:19:12 PM
very nice
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: astragalus on January 04, 2016, 09:59:46 PM
It is not normal here to see any hellebore in bloom.  They start here in April and the leaves are completely brown.  This year is so different.  Most of them still have green leaves and several have produced flowers with many buds formed deep in the center.  Does this mean there will be no bloom in the spring??
1. Helleborus 'Pink Teacup'
2. Helleborus niger
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gabriela on January 05, 2016, 02:21:19 PM
Beautiful, each of them and so much variation.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: zephirine on January 06, 2016, 04:57:40 AM
Many helleborus are in bloom here too. Hybrids, mainly.
But Helleborus purpurascens has also opened its flowers... two months early! :o
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Roma on January 06, 2016, 12:23:38 PM
Just noticed yesterday morning the flowers have gone off my early Helleborus niger.  Roe deer - they will eat anything >:( 
There are lots of buds on two later flowering plants.  I do have wire hanging baskets covering them as they are on a squirrel pathway  and under the bird seed feeder so were being trampled. 
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2016, 05:36:25 PM
Just after my work i visited Thierry Delabroye and almost met Ruben who just leaved.

again a nice batch of flowers and colors
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2016, 05:37:17 PM
even more Helleborus hybrids
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2016, 05:38:19 PM
some nice color's tones
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2016, 05:39:51 PM
not always easy to photography and render justice to the beautiful flowers
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2016, 05:40:28 PM
even more Helleborus hybrids
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2016, 05:42:18 PM
which one to bring back at home? 221 was given as gift 8)
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2016, 05:43:35 PM
even more Helleborus hybrids
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2016, 05:44:43 PM
never enough of these beauties
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2016, 05:45:53 PM
it was a bit dark during 1/2h...
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2016, 05:47:02 PM
and windy....
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2016, 05:48:21 PM
even more Helleborus hybrids, 246 is now in my garden  ;D
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2016, 05:50:13 PM
Paeonia like
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2016, 05:53:19 PM
Outside gale but i was able to shot some plants such as this Ranunculus montanus
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2016, 05:57:41 PM
Superbe!!  How one would choose between these plants is  beyond me - I would  never  be able to make a choice without  spending a fortune - so many gems.

http://www.mytho-fleurs.com/les_vivaces_de_sandrine_et_thierry.htm (http://www.mytho-fleurs.com/les_vivaces_de_sandrine_et_thierry.htm)

Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: David Nicholson on January 15, 2016, 06:47:25 PM
Brilliant show Yann. Thanks for taking the time to post them.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2016, 07:37:26 PM
Each year it's a colors festival, here're 2 more plants inside the kitchen ;)
They're not for public sales and are used as mother plants for next pollination sessions. I was lucky to receive them as gift.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2016, 07:48:04 PM
Your  gifted plants are gorgeous!  Lucky man!
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gabriela on January 16, 2016, 12:41:36 AM
You are indeed a lucky man! They are all so beautiful, thanks for showing.

Would I get a gift if I would come and take pictures? I will be happy enough with something like 231 and one like your 246  ;D

Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 16, 2016, 10:39:49 AM
I not only took pictures but also bought other plants. I know Thierry for a long time now and we trade plants friendly.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gabriela on January 16, 2016, 02:34:50 PM
It is hard to imagine how you still have place for new plants in your garden!
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 16, 2016, 03:56:53 PM
Still have few holes to fill, but yes my urban garden is small. Hopefully i now grow bulbs and seedlings pots in a small piece of land an 90'old woman lend me, 300m from the house. I'm still looking a bigger land but it's really too expensive in the area.
In the south of the country i own a dry land that let me multiply bulbs but i can control what's happen there each week. In the southern country side the land is 10 to 15x less expensive than in north.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 16, 2016, 05:05:00 PM
Gabriela i'm sure sending living plants to Canada needs phyto, quiet expensive, that's a shame.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gabriela on January 16, 2016, 09:32:51 PM
Still have few holes to fill, but yes my urban garden is small. Hopefully i now grow bulbs and seedlings pots in a small piece of land an 90'old woman lend me, 300m from the house. I'm still looking a bigger land but it's really too expensive in the area.
In the south of the country i own a dry land that let me multiply bulbs but i can control what's happen there each week. In the southern country side the land is 10 to 15x less expensive than in north.

That explains the so many pots you show, full of those little cute, bulbous plants!
And yes, I mean no, sending/receiving living plants it's too crazily expensive. Seeds and images  :)
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Robert on January 16, 2016, 09:36:01 PM
Yann,

What an interesting and delightful selection of Helleborus. We have nothing like this in our area. We have kinda' light and very dark, with of few pinks in between. Nothing like what you have shown.  :)

Thank you for sharing the photographs. It is inspirational. I even went out in the rain to see how our Helleborus are doing. Very dormant! No sign of any growth at all. Our plants certainly react to our climatic conditions differently than yours.

We rarely get extremely cold here in our part of California, however in an average winter the plants behave as though the climate was much colder. But then plants survive... I just found a Rhododendron commonae that I left out in the frost. I know that it is one of the few "hardy" Vireya Rhododendrons but it seems very happy enduring what for it must be cold temperatures.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on January 19, 2016, 08:04:14 PM
A selection of fantastic hellebores from all contributors.
Down under we are 4-5 months away from our flowering season but this summer I have had more than a few plants in bloom, mostly doubles.
A question, assuming I was starting from scratch and was looking for apricot shaded flowers what would the best parents to use ?
As a colour apricot is achieved by mixing yellow and red, there are now yellows that approach daffodil yellow but no true red hellebores. This may explain the absence of deep apricot shades, although there is a French nursery that seems to have bred a true apricot.
Hope someone can provide feedback. While I have some apricot shades they are always predominantly primrose as the main colour with a tingle of apricot which does intensify as the flowers age. 
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: WimB on January 20, 2016, 07:43:35 AM
Yann, I visited on monday and was once again astonished by the wonderfull variety of Hellebores he grows...he has become one of the (if not THE) best Hellebore hybridisers in Europe. I heard that he started many years ago with seeds and young plants from Maurice Vergote (the godfather of modern gardening in Belgium, he has educated a whole lot of nursery-men and women during the last half century in Belgium), who taught him what to cross to get new colours.

Anyhow: I brought the two below from him.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: fleurbleue on January 20, 2016, 08:40:17 AM
Two beauties, Wim ;) I visited his nursery some years ago and I didn't know what I have to choose among all these nice forms and colours
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: WimB on January 20, 2016, 08:56:24 AM
Two beauties, Wim ;) I visited his nursery some years ago and I didn't know what I have to choose among all these nice forms and colours

Yes, you feel like a kid in a candy shop   ;)
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Leena on January 20, 2016, 09:00:00 AM
Yann and Wim, those are wonderful Hellebores!
Do you know if Thierry sells ever seeds?
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: WimB on January 20, 2016, 09:34:27 AM
Yann and Wim, those are wonderful Hellebores!
Do you know if Thierry sells ever seeds?

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think so. Maybe Yann will know for sure!
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gabriela on January 20, 2016, 03:09:45 PM
Yann and Wim, those are wonderful Hellebores!
Do you know if Thierry sells ever seeds?

Totally agree! All of them gorgeous.
Selling seeds  - It would be too good to be true...
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Tim Ingram on January 20, 2016, 05:13:37 PM
Yann - we need about fifty or sixty of those hellebores for this area we have just cleared under the apple trees! ;) I've seen some pictures on Facebook too, amazing range of colour and form. There are fine growers in Japan and N. America as well and a really good book on them published by Timber Press (Hellebores - A Comprehensive Guide, C. Colston Burrell & Judith Knott Tyler). Seed would be good but it still takes three or four years to get a strong flowering sized plant.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Tim Ingram on January 20, 2016, 05:15:47 PM
(PS: would also like to grow some of their epimediums!!)
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on January 20, 2016, 07:19:53 PM
Neither seeds nor seedlings are sold.
Tim if you wanna populate your woodland i think you should think up a nice budget ::)
If a few hybrids are of interest i can bring some pots to the next AGS show.

Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Tim Ingram on January 20, 2016, 09:33:38 PM
I think you are right Yann! We will go slowly but I must try to cross the channel and visit the Delabroye nursery sometime - too much happens here in the spring though...
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Maggi Young on February 04, 2016, 06:57:11 PM
This Welsh Nursery has some lovely hellebores - and I think they have some pretty seedlings for sale  from this sort of stock.... http://farmyardnurseries.co.uk/ (http://farmyardnurseries.co.uk/)      Llandysul SA44 4RL

They had posted these photos on Facebook   "  bicoloured Hellebores... some to look forward to, available now as seedlings and seed, flowering plants next year  "
[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

[attachurl=4]

Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: fleurbleue on February 04, 2016, 09:25:11 PM
Desirable plants ;) I think I'll order seeds
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gabriela on February 05, 2016, 02:10:58 AM
Very beautiful. Thanks for posting Maggi. I don't know when you have time to take the tour on all these Facebook pages!  :) ???
I am trying to stay away.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Maggi Young on February 05, 2016, 11:31:49 AM
Poor health and insomnia  can  have some advantages, Gabriela .
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: astragalus on February 05, 2016, 12:31:10 PM
Maggi, those are really wonderful hellebores, especially the third one.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Maggi Young on February 05, 2016, 12:44:34 PM
I liked the first one best   :D
The same place has some great "apricot" shades too. #sigh#  I have a real weak spot for hellebores but the Boss has made me promise not to get any more - something about no space......  :-X :'(
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on February 05, 2016, 12:46:47 PM
Poor health and insomnia  can  have some advantages, Gabriela .
Oh dear! Not many I imagine.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Maggi Young on February 05, 2016, 01:05:47 PM
Damn few, Ralph! But I'm still here, and I hope, being useful!
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Matt T on February 05, 2016, 01:15:17 PM
I liked the first one best   :D
The same place has some great "apricot" shades too. #sigh#  I have a real weak spot for hellebores but the Boss has made me promise not to get any more - something about no space......  :-X :'(

If there weren't so many Erythronium growing like weeds all over the place...  :-X
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Maggi Young on February 05, 2016, 02:21:49 PM
That is precisely the situation, Matt! There is always room for more Erys, I've noticed.
It's a wonder I've managed to sneak in the number of hellebores   I have - that and the paeonies!  ::) :-X
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gabriela on February 05, 2016, 07:44:27 PM
Poor health and insomnia  can  have some advantages, Gabriela .


Very sorry to hear about this Maggi. It is certainly to our benefit  :-\
My favourite is also the first one, but who know what comes out by seed...

It's a wonder I've managed to sneak in the number of hellebores   I have - that and the paeonies!  ::) :-X

Well, since the Erys are going dormant at some point and the garden has to look good year long, what else could you do? ;)
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Maggi Young on February 05, 2016, 07:59:32 PM
I agree- who knows what one might get from seed -  waiting for seedling to flower is like waiting to  open presents!

 I'll be telling the Bulb Despot about your understanding of my  scheme! 


Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gabriela on February 05, 2016, 09:12:49 PM
 :)

About presents, keep in mind that once in a while you get exactly what you wished for!
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Maggi Young on February 12, 2016, 11:08:30 PM
Ashwood Nurseries, Gift Shop and Tea Room

Hellebore Tours Tomorrow!

"Come and join us on Saturday 13th February for a unique opportunity to ‘go behind the scenes’ and discover the fascinating story behind our award-winning hellebores.

Fully guided tours operate between 10:15-2:30pm
(Duration approx 1 hour)
No need to book, just turn up…

Tickets will be available on the day from the advice desk in the garden shop £2.50 each.

All proceeds donated to our Charity of the Year 2016,
High Flyers | Wombourne, Staffordshire  "    https://www.ashwoodnurseries.com/ (https://www.ashwoodnurseries.com/)
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Maggi Young on February 12, 2016, 11:11:59 PM
Helleborus Event in Ireland - thanks to Carl Dacus for the note

Helleborus Days, Special Weekend at Mount Venus Nursery
27th & 28th Feb. 2016
11am - 4pm

http://www.mountvenusnursery.com/MVN/SpecialDays33.html (http://www.mountvenusnursery.com/MVN/SpecialDays33.html)

Mount Venus Nursery
Walled Garden
Mutton Lane
Rathfarnham
Dublin 16

Phone : 01 4933813

mountvenusnursery@gmail.com



Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Bernadette on February 14, 2016, 06:58:19 PM
In my garden today
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Bernadette on February 14, 2016, 07:23:13 PM
one more
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on February 14, 2016, 07:46:15 PM
Very good double, how old are the plants?
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Bernadette on February 14, 2016, 08:12:14 PM


Most of the hellebores are between 2 and 6 years old, the majority from seed,
a lot from ashwoods bought and sown over several years, but this is my new house
that I've only had since September, so they were moved and appear to have survived,
but I've still got another 40 to move, and I haven't moved
any named snowdrops yet, the garden is full of nettles and weeds so it's taking time
to clear areas before I can plant. It's very damp soil, with a stream, the soil seems
quite forgiving, I've moved 20 camellias this week and I think they will recover,
fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on February 15, 2016, 02:05:14 AM
Relocating to a new garden is always a challenge as in many cases the old garden houses a collection of plants that have adapted to conditions and many do not thank us when we relocate them to a new garden. Suspect the camellias were of a good size so good to hear that have settled into their new home.
When we relocated I moved my hellebores in the middle of summer, not a smart thing as the temperatures at the time were low 30's degrees, Celsius that is. However we had to be out of the old home by a certain date and the new owners were not of a mind to allow us to return to remove the plants in autumn. Needless to say there were the inevitable casualties and many old favourites left behind..
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: zephirine on February 15, 2016, 05:34:36 AM
Hold on, Bernadette! I moved about 750 plants including a dozen hellebores (duly repotted all along the 6 previous months) in july 2005, and have only lost 2 or 3 of them (and no hellebore)! They were replanted in a damp clayish soil, and even if many took 2 to 3 years to recover completely, and it was very hard work to prepare them and keep them alive until the new garden was ready, I never regretted the effort!

Three of my (new) favourites this year:
- a dainty double from Ashwood
[attach=1]

[attach=2]
- a lovely red anemone centered, with lighter colour in the center, gradualy darkening to nearly black at the tip of  the petals, both inside and outside (the pictures don't do it full justice), from Delabroye origin,
[attach=3]

[attach=4]
- and a double "slaty blue", form Pepinière de la Thyle origin.
[attach=5]
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Bernadette on February 15, 2016, 05:55:14 AM


The new house is having work done on it so I've got several months
of still being able to take things from my old house before I put it up
for sale, to be honest I had so much crammed in there a lot of it needed
pulling up, as there wasn't room for them to grow to full size,
but there are so many things if I don't take I'll never come across them
again.  Plus things, like hellebores grown from seeds, until they've flowered
you can't be sure you've taken the most eye catching.

Last week I had some sleepers delivered  and I'm going to have a raised bed to
use as a temporary holding bay for things I'm not sure what to do with!
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on February 15, 2016, 06:52:54 PM
You have 2 of my most liked double forms, picotee and slate blue.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 16, 2016, 09:19:28 AM
Last week I had some sleepers delivered  and I'm going to have a raised bed to
use as a temporary holding bay for things I'm not sure what to do with!

...and snowdrops?  :-*
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Roma on February 25, 2016, 11:00:11 PM
A few hellebores flowering now
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Bernadette on February 26, 2016, 06:31:17 PM
...and snowdrops?  :-*


Sorry Brian only just read that, of course!
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Steve Garvie on March 03, 2016, 11:03:48 PM
Don't tell her I said so but some of my wife's hellebores are not that bad looking:

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1465/25153333210_6da8eca0b9_o_d.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1509/25422771216_d3b1aaf5a5_o_d.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1718/24818371444_11392296fe_o_d.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1663/24818370594_7bd65bd230_o_d.jpg)
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: David Nicholson on March 04, 2016, 09:43:23 AM
Don't tell her I said so but some of my wife's hellebores are not that bad looking:


They are undoubtedly very nice Steve but it has to be said that the photographer has made the very best of them.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Maggi Young on March 18, 2016, 08:37:32 PM
Many will be aware of  Judith Knott Tyler,  either from her book, mentioned earlier on this very page, or from her nursery  Pine Knot Farm  where she had great success, along with her husband Dick - who took all the photos for ther talks etc.  I'm sorry to bring the very  sad news that Judith has died.   - this from Dick and their family:

To All the Friends of Judith Knott Tyler,

Earlier this week Judith was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. It was impossible to treat, and earlier today Judy passed away. We know this will come as a shock to many people since most did not even know she was sick. What started two weeks ago as a case of pneumonia has led to a place none of us could have imagined.

Judy first went to the hospital for the pneumonia, and that’s when we learned of the existence of growths in her lungs. She came home to finish recovering before further tests would be done. Last weekend we had to take her back to the hospital for breathing difficulties. As she was being treated, she had a number of scans performed. It was Wednesday evening when we learned the nature of her cancer and that she only had days left. During the entire last week in the hospital, Judy was sedated. She felt no pain. Even amidst the chaos of the past few days, Judy died peacefully surrounded by family.

Judy touched many lives and her loss is felt by many. We are all joined in grieving for such a wonderful person. Over the next few days the family asks for some privacy. There will be a private Celebration of Life for Judy.

The Family of Judith Knott Tyler


Such very sad new.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on March 20, 2016, 07:50:41 PM
A shock to learn of Judith's death. I had many e mail conversations with her on hellebores a genus she was total fascinated by and had received seed gifts from the Tyler's. Her partnership with Dick was on an equal footing and while Dick focused on breeding it was Judith who spread the hellebore message.
 

Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on March 21, 2016, 07:46:44 PM
The Helleborus x hybridus are pretty much at their best just now.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: David Nicholson on March 21, 2016, 07:50:38 PM
Mine are well over Ralph.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on March 21, 2016, 07:55:33 PM
Colder here, David.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gunilla on March 23, 2016, 03:20:23 PM
They have just started here.
These two seedlings flower for the first time.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: David Nicholson on March 23, 2016, 05:25:37 PM
Very pretty.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on March 23, 2016, 07:15:00 PM
Both would tick all my boxes, origin?
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gabriela on March 23, 2016, 07:31:39 PM
Lovely. Is it unrealistic to expect flowers from 2 years old seedlings of H. x hybridus?
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on March 29, 2016, 12:34:15 AM
Unusual but under ideal growing conditions, nutrients and a vigorous plant possible. For me 3 years post germination is the norm for hybridus seedlings, niger a year earlier.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gunilla on March 29, 2016, 06:25:25 AM
Yes, 3 years after germination is my experience, too.  The mother plant to my two seedlings came from Ashwoods and looks like the one in the second photo.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gabriela on March 29, 2016, 02:06:00 PM
Thank you all. The first signs of spring are making me impatient. I got the seeds from someone who hybridized double purples, with H. torquatus in the blood line, so I have great expectations!

What else I would really like to know is if there is a way to hurry up H. purpurascens - the seedlings seem to remain at the cotyledons stage for ever  ::)
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on March 31, 2016, 10:34:21 PM
Sorry but in my experience species are always much slower to flower than hybridus (is influenced by species seedling vigour), the closer the cross is to a species the more likely flowering will be delayed. I am of the opinion that early breeders may well have selected for early flowering but the need for this diminished over time.
Niger is very quick to flower, thibetanus very very slow.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: David Nicholson on April 06, 2016, 07:54:16 PM
It's been a bit of a disaster year for me as far as Hellebores are concerned. Given the very wet Autumn, carried through an even wetter winter I didn't get to remove the leaves at all. The rain spoilt the flowers and the wind decimated the plants. I have one plant though that is always the last to flower and seems to be in pretty good nick. This is the one:-
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on April 06, 2016, 08:17:46 PM
Very nice, David.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on April 06, 2016, 09:40:17 PM
David
Great double, like the sepal shape and abundance, can I ask of its provenance?
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: David Nicholson on April 06, 2016, 10:17:37 PM
David
Great double, like the sepal shape and abundance, can I ask of its provenance?

Sorry Jeff, haven't a clue.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gabriela on April 07, 2016, 08:05:37 PM
Sorry but in my experience species are always much slower to flower than hybridus (is influenced by species seedling vigour), the closer the cross is to a species the more likely flowering will be delayed. I am of the opinion that early breeders may well have selected for early flowering but the need for this diminished over time.
Niger is very quick to flower, thibetanus very very slow.

Thank you Jeff. I was referring to the fact that it takes a very long time for H. purpurascens to develop the first true leaves; I can imagine how long it will be until flowering.

David - a super nice double flowered specimen! It would be interesting to raise some seedlings; you may never know what else will show up from such beautiful parent  :)
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Leena on April 09, 2016, 09:14:05 AM
Gunilla's picotee is very nice, and I have similar flower also from Ashwood seeds.
And I love David's double plant. :)

This is a time when Helleborus seeds are germinating here. I sowed H.liguricus from fresh seeds in summer 2014 and for some reason they germinated only now. Perhaps they needed two winters like H.thibetanus?
Also seeds sown in January 2015 started to germinate outside in late December, but then came winter, and now that the frost is melting from the ground, the seedlings continue to develop and more to germinate  :). These were seeds from New Zealand and France.
Fresh seeds sown last summer (Onyx Odyssey and Lotus Queen and some others) started to germinate also in December, and continue now.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Tristan_He on April 10, 2016, 10:26:59 PM
Very fond of hellebores, but they don't really give their best up here in our wet and windy climate - in particular black spot can ruin the display of flowers. Here are two that seem to do well though:

[attachimg=1]

I think this black one is a Will McLewin seedling. It's not very vigorous but always looks great.

[attachimg=2]

This double picotee is a Harvington one from my local garden centre. Sorry about the blurry photo, it was a windy day here today.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on April 14, 2016, 02:24:17 AM
Nice dark and double as well.
Growth rates/vigour does vary greatly with species being the slowest. Also great variation amongst seeds collected for a dedicated hand pollinated seed pod. Will's seeds are probably from OP  plants which will avoid the possibility of reduction in vigour often found with intensive in line breeding.
Botrytis is an issue for me during flowering, have found that removal of all leaves does help but not always 100% successful. Not found an effective fungicide spray for this. Annoying to make a cross only to find it fails due to fungal decay.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Leena on April 14, 2016, 07:34:45 AM
The first Helleborus flowering here is H.multifidus. The first picture is of a plant I have grown from seed ex seeds, and the second is a plant which was grown from wild collected seeds. The latter has bigger flowers but both have similar leaves which are deciduous and both start to flower very early.
In the third picture are H.x hybridus, coming up.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: astragalus on April 18, 2016, 04:52:03 AM
Hellebores badly hit this year - no snow, unseasonable warmth and then temperatures crashing well below zero.  Many buds were killed.  Helleborus 'Rose Quartz' is a nice one.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Leena on April 18, 2016, 06:55:52 AM
That is a lovely Helleborus.  :)
I'm happy that I have it as just germinated seedlings, so perhaps after three years I will have it flowering.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on April 18, 2016, 07:26:31 PM
These self-sown Helleborus argutifolius are right next to the road, but they seem happy.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: PeterClegg on April 19, 2016, 02:16:20 PM
a few species foliage pictures, hercegovinus & torquatus growing on my allotment.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on April 19, 2016, 02:31:28 PM
Very nice, Peter.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: ashley on April 19, 2016, 03:57:13 PM
These self-sown Helleborus argutifolius are right next to the road, but they seem happy.
It's almost a weed in my garden but is popular with bees in search of early pollen.

Fine looking plants Peter.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Yann on April 19, 2016, 08:43:51 PM
Leena how old is your multifidus?
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on April 19, 2016, 10:39:28 PM
Peter
What is the soil type at the allotment? The plants are definitely very healthy, was wondering about drainage as herco does seem to require good drainage to grow well.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gabriela on April 20, 2016, 02:07:27 AM
Hellebores badly hit this year - no snow, unseasonable warmth and then temperatures crashing well below zero.  Many buds were killed.  Helleborus 'Rose Quartz' is a nice one.

Same here, together with a few other things; it was horrible. Glad the Rose Quartz made it!

Nice foliage all the others and indeed Ashley, all are popular with the early bees. H. 'Cherry Blossom' a week ago with bee :) and today.
[attach=1]

[attach=2]

And H. x ericsmithii 'Winter Moonbeam' - some buy it for the foliage, others for the flowers. Myself, I like it after flowering, it reminds of H. purpurascens. Good replacement until my seedlings grow up.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Leena on April 20, 2016, 07:48:17 AM
I also admire the foliage of Peter's Hellebores!

Leena how old is your multifidus?

The green one (from wild collected seeds) was sown in 2010 and it flowered last year the first time, but the bed where it grows is perhaps too dry.
The pale purple one from Swedish seed exchange was sown in 2012 and it flowered now the first time.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: PeterClegg on April 24, 2016, 06:40:50 PM
The multifidus subsp hercegovinus plants are now 4 years old and hoping they will flower next year , the soil has excellent drainage a bit sandy but was double dug with a good layer of manure , I give a top dress of calcified seaweed and they love it .
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Hans J on May 30, 2016, 12:38:42 PM
Hi Helleborus friends ,

I have offered before some day fresh seeds of Helleborus siculus but until now no interest  :-\
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14347.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14347.0)

It would be really a shame to give it in the dust bin  :o
and it makes no sense to wait for the seed Exchange in fall

Hans
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on June 01, 2016, 01:45:10 AM
Hi Hans
I will take some please send me a PM.
Regards
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Leena on June 03, 2016, 06:51:25 AM
Hi Helleborus friends ,

I have offered before some day fresh seeds of Helleborus siculus but until now no interest  :-\
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14347.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14347.0)

It would be really a shame to give it in the dust bin  :o
and it makes no sense to wait for the seed Exchange in fall

Hans

I'm also interested, I saw your post about them but only couple of days later and I thought for sure the seeds were already gone by then so that's why I didn't write.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Hans J on June 03, 2016, 11:59:57 AM
Hello Jeff ,hello Leena

your package with the wished seeds are underway ...good luck with sowing :)

I still have 90 seeds  ;D

Best wishes
Hans
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: t00lie on July 03, 2016, 10:22:23 AM
Warm enough this afternoon to spend a couple hours in the garden cutting back Helleborus foliage as a small number are in bloom.

One of the messy looking beds before hand .

Plants cut back and light mulch applied .

The bamboo stakes are an aid to identify where Trillium's are planted however I had an uneasy feeling I was stepping on a number of T. seedlings so in the spring once growth is away I'll need to look at the placement of a few stepping stones so I can weed the bed without disturbing plants......  ::)

Even though I try to ensure I cut all seedpods each season , I sometimes miss a few and so seedlings do appear ..... >:(

Cheers Dave.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on July 03, 2016, 11:46:48 PM
Just completed removal old leaves from garden plants, budding up now advanced and some are opening. Flowering season a bit late this year as is germination of 2015 seeds. Been  very warm for winter with day temps about 6+ above normal for this time of year. Not good for over wintering aphids etc.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: t00lie on July 04, 2016, 10:32:16 AM
Just completed removal old leaves from garden plants, budding up now advanced and some are opening. Flowering season a bit late this year as is germination of 2015 seeds. Been  very warm for winter with day temps about 6+ above normal for this time of year. Not good for over wintering aphids etc.

Yes aphids on a number of plants here as well .I think there have only been 3 ground frosts that have reached our woodland setting .

Where are you situated Jeff --North or South Island ?.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on July 04, 2016, 08:20:31 PM
Wairarapa 
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on July 07, 2016, 12:37:23 AM
From a cross or a single pale lightly spotted single with a double primrose (only had 2 rows of sepals), took 4 generations to arrive at these.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on July 07, 2016, 12:48:06 AM
Flowering season late this year along with germination of last years seed.
This is the double used for the previous cross, not that attractive shape  but does seem to be good for using to achieve primrose doubles..
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: t00lie on July 07, 2016, 09:15:44 AM
From a cross or a single pale lightly spotted single with a double primrose (only had 2 rows of sepals), took 4 generations to arrive at these.

Nice Jeff  ----4 generations , so that's 12 years plus ?........
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on July 07, 2016, 08:11:19 PM
Yes as it took it took 3 generations to get the parental double.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on December 18, 2016, 01:30:36 PM
Helleborus niger is starting.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Leena on December 21, 2016, 02:47:26 PM
I noticed that I hadn't posted pictures of my Hellebores last spring, so here are some of the ones I liked the most.
The first is H.niger, this one always flowers late in the spring opposed to some which show their flowers already in December (if there is no frost or snow).
All the other pictures are H.x hybridus. Pictures are from the beginning of May 2016.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Leena on December 21, 2016, 02:49:51 PM
Some more.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Leena on December 21, 2016, 02:52:27 PM
Two more, these flowered for the first time last spring.
I like the first one, and the second is the best of the doubles (or semidouble) which I have. The other ones have too drooping flowers for my taste. I think this one was nicer. :)
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Cfred72 on December 21, 2016, 03:36:38 PM
They are very pretty your hellébores, Leena. In my garden, they do not succeed too well. I do not know why.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Jeffnz on December 21, 2016, 10:37:23 PM
The main reason why hellebores fail to flourish as garden plants is usually poor drainage. They will tolerate most soil types with the exception of heavy clay.
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Gabriela on December 22, 2016, 12:57:26 AM
I noticed that I hadn't posted pictures of my Hellebores last spring, so here are some of the ones I liked the most.
The first is H.niger, this one always flowers late in the spring opposed to some which show their flowers already in December (if there is no frost or snow).
All the other pictures are H.x hybridus. Pictures are from the beginning of May 2016.

Wonderful Hellebores, Corydalis and other spring flowers - what a dream Leena.
[attach=1]
Title: Re: Helleborus 2016
Post by: Leena on December 22, 2016, 04:46:55 PM
Thanks, they are my favourites, too.
I agree with Jeff about soil where to grow Hellebores. Mine grow in woodland beds with plenty of humus (and no clay) and where there is no chance of waterlogging. Maybe I'm just lucky to have found the place where they like to grow. :)
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