Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: mark smyth on February 23, 2009, 06:16:26 PM

Title: Hellebores 2009
Post by: mark smyth on February 23, 2009, 06:16:26 PM
I'll kick off this thread with a mention of an amazing sight I saw on Friday. At a lunch of Friday there was much talk about a local nursery specialising in Hellebores with a huge range of colours and forms. It was only a couple of miles away so we left slightly early. We found little signs pointing the way up country lanes and came to a large house with two huge polytunnels with 5000 hellebores. There were clean yellows, picotee yellows, Anenome centred yellows, double yellows and all colours that Hellebores come in in these forms. The three of us were like children in a toy shop shouting "look at this one", "look at this". The cost was £18 for 3 singles of any colour and £24 for 3 doubles and Anemone centred. The nursery is at Linnett Farm, Ullingswick, Herefordshire.

Last year we, Margaret G, Bob and I, were given plants of John Massy's new Hellebore hybrid, thibetanus x niger, 'Pink Ice'. They weren't flowering but this year they are and the flowers are brilliant. Photo later this week
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: kap-horn on February 23, 2009, 07:35:17 PM
Oh, that sounds fantastic!  :o :o :o I dream of a double yellow! :P
Do you think that he will ship them to Germany?
Please, show some pictures.
Karin
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: mark smyth on February 23, 2009, 07:42:04 PM
Karin if only I had access to a computer while I was in England. I would have bought you one and mailed it. I'll send you his phone number so you can ask. He hasnt started mailorder but is mailing about 20 to N Ireland. Ask him to put one in for you.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: David Nicholson on February 23, 2009, 08:21:56 PM
I spent half an hour travelling round Ullingswick about four weeks ago looking for the Nursery and failed miserably :(
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: mark smyth on February 23, 2009, 08:28:21 PM
Dont you have a sat nav?
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: David Nicholson on February 23, 2009, 08:45:15 PM
Of course not, (nor do I have a mobile phone or sky television) I manage with maps or fail miserably (and honourably) in the attempt.  ;D
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: mark smyth on February 23, 2009, 09:08:01 PM
For future reference
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=HR1%203JQ (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=HR1%203JQ)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Lvandelft on February 23, 2009, 09:13:07 PM
On Google I found a very readable and interesting article about Linnett Farm:

http://www.herefordshirelife.co.uk/gardens-and-wildlife-winter%E2%80%99s-most-exquisite-flower--113490 (http://www.herefordshirelife.co.uk/gardens-and-wildlife-winter%E2%80%99s-most-exquisite-flower--113490)
Note added 20/08/09 This link above  no longer active



edit by Maggi: I'll include more contact details here.... Linnett Farm Plants, Ullingswick HR1 3JQ   is open Saturdays, Sundays & Wednesdays, 10am-5pm, January-April; tel 01432 820337 or 07917 787856.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: mark smyth on February 23, 2009, 09:18:51 PM
Here are two I bought and one that was not for sale. The yellow is a good yellow but my camera doesnt show it very well
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on February 24, 2009, 08:10:37 AM
Stunning colours Mark !
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: gote on February 24, 2009, 08:43:39 AM
Dont you have a sat nav?
I have one and it is VERY good if I have a street address with a number. :)
It will find any such address in Scandinavia wiyhout any effort at all.
For an address like the one in Ullingswick it is next to useless :(
The database only contains streets so any address to a nursery is likely to need labourius manual input. >:(
Göte
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: kap-horn on February 24, 2009, 09:17:15 AM
Thanks for the pictures! The last one is very unususal !  :o
I will try to phone  him .

My sat-navigator from medion is very good , we used it last year on the trip to ashwood, and works with North and South coordinates.
It was a little bit slow in roundabouts  :-\ sometimes you took the false street.

Karin
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Rob on February 24, 2009, 10:09:46 AM
If you use http://maps.google.co.uk and paste in 52.147661,-2.592972 then look at the satellite view it shows Linnet Farm next to the church.

Marks link above shows Ullingswick, hopefully this shows the greenhouses at the farm.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: mark smyth on February 24, 2009, 06:37:52 PM
sure does except the newer sales tunnel isnt there
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: David Nicholson on February 24, 2009, 07:49:06 PM
If you use http://maps.google.co.uk and paste in 52.147661,-2.592972 then look at the satellite view it shows Linnet Farm next to the church.

Marks link above shows Ullingswick, hopefully this shows the greenhouses at the farm.

Thanks for that Rob. I asked two of what I thought might be locals, and neither could direct me to Linnet Farm.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Jo on February 24, 2009, 10:31:03 PM
On Marks recommendation I went to Linnet Farm,  and he is quite right, its full of lovely hellebores.  I'll post pics of the ones I bought tomorrow.  Really well worth a 1 : 25,000 OS if not a satnav  :D
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Jo on February 25, 2009, 12:31:53 PM
Here are some hellebores from Linnet Farm. Firstly some doubles
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Jo on February 25, 2009, 12:38:35 PM
And here are some singles and a hellebore wedding photo.  I chose these ones because all of them look good from above which is how you seem to see them in a garden. 
I might have gone a bit mad but at £5 for a single and £8 for a double they seemed too good to miss, and they bring new blood to my genetic stock
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on February 25, 2009, 02:29:17 PM
Cor! My wallet would have taken a beating there, too. I think those prices are more than reasonable.... it would have been too rude of you not to have bought some, Jo  :D
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Jo on February 25, 2009, 05:33:57 PM
You salve my conscience Maggi  :D
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: ian mcenery on February 25, 2009, 07:07:48 PM
Jo some good value here but I have spent all I am going to on hellebores (famous last words) and have started to grow own seedlings  (some deliberate crosses from my Ashwood plants which are now growing on my allotment.

Here is one of my Niger plants which unfortunately has a little damage caused by the snow earlier but flowering well.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: johngennard on February 25, 2009, 07:09:08 PM
I love the hellebores too and the prices quoted are very reasonable.However for those out there who feel that they don't want to afford them and are prepared to be patient I can reccomend seed from Ashwood although not doubles of course.At £3.25 for 8 seeds with usually 100% germination that's roughly 40p.each.I picked this selection this afternoon and they are the very first flowers from plants grown from seed sown in 2006 and growing in the open ground in my veg.patch.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on February 25, 2009, 07:15:07 PM
Ian, your H. niger is doing well...... wish ours would look that good. My Auntie has really good old plants which flower profusely, and early, but they don't care for life in the town, thirty odd miles away.   :P


John, a delightful selection and  a very prettty display.... and not so very long form seed, eh?  8)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: ian mcenery on February 25, 2009, 07:26:30 PM
Maggi I think that I am quite cruel with the plant.  I let it get swamped by herbaceous plants in the summer and it seems grow much better than those grown more traditionally. Gives 2 for the price of 1  8)

John nice selection
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: mark smyth on February 28, 2009, 09:24:32 AM
Here is the best double Hellebore I have ever seen. It was found/bought at Basil Smith's last weekend
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: maggiepie on February 28, 2009, 01:42:17 PM
Wow Mark, I have never seen an hellebore flower that even remotely looked like that.
Does it face upwards or was it positioned for the pic?
Tis a real beauty. ;D ;D
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: mark smyth on February 28, 2009, 03:15:23 PM
Here's the new hybrid from Ashwoods. thibetanus x niger 'Pink Ice'
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Jo on February 28, 2009, 03:49:19 PM
Hi Ian,

I do agree that its fun and cheaper to grow from seed, and I do grow a lot that way. Doubles often come true and anemone centres turn up as well. I can't resist buying in new genetic stock though.

Mark that's a truely lovely double, I hope you'll get some seed from it. I'm planning on sowing all the seed from those I've just bought cos they were already pollinated at Basil's so should have some good blood.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on February 28, 2009, 04:04:34 PM
I see that Jim McKenney.... whose blog I commend to you... http://mcwort.blogspot.com/ has been asking if any of us still refer to hellebores as "Lenten Roses" ..... it is certainly a common name heard still in Scotland for these gems..... more common, perhaps, than the habit of observing Lent.  ::) ???
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: mark smyth on February 28, 2009, 04:06:55 PM
Bob got his mits on it first
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Tony Willis on February 28, 2009, 04:28:51 PM
Mark that double is certainly superb,on the other hand I am struggling to see whats special about the thibetanus hybrid other than it being a novelty
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: mark smyth on February 28, 2009, 05:19:34 PM
Very floriferous. Mine is in the same pot it came in last year and has 3 flowering stems. I saw one yesterday that was planted out last year soon after getting it is smothered in flowers
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Oron Peri on February 28, 2009, 07:29:24 PM
Jo

What amazing plants, i love the forms and mainly the colors you have chosen...real classy.

You are lucky to have such nurseries around.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: ian mcenery on February 28, 2009, 10:14:31 PM
Here are a few from the garden as well as a few from my allotment where I am growing on many of my seedlings.

First from the garden

H ericsmithii alaso a closeup
H odorus the mother of the yellows

 From the allotment

H atrorubens a beautiful species
H multifidus bocconei
H black seedlings. These are from Will Mclewin seed and I particularly like these because they have neat flowers and more species like dissected foliage
H Hybridus ex Ashwood black
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: ian mcenery on February 28, 2009, 10:20:58 PM
Forgot the odorus sorry

Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: maggiepie on February 28, 2009, 10:27:41 PM
Ian, you have some very nice babies, I particularly like the atrorubens and the black seedlings. :)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Giles on March 02, 2009, 12:16:14 PM
There's an article on Hellebore breeding in the March edition of The Plantsman.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: mark smyth on March 02, 2009, 02:50:39 PM
There's an article on Hellebore breeding in the March edition of The Plantsman.

and the article clearly shows that my 'Pink Ice' isnt right yet given to me by the boss himself. I've just emailed for clarification.

I'd love to have 'Briar Rose'. Is it an Ashwood Hellebore?
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: mark smyth on March 02, 2009, 02:52:32 PM
John is on Gardener's World next Friday - 13th
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Diane Clement on March 02, 2009, 05:41:38 PM
I'd love to have 'Briar Rose'. Is it an Ashwood Hellebore? 

Yes, it's Ashwood's, I think it came out about the same time as Pink Ice, but different parents.  Briar Rose is H niger x versicarius.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: mark smyth on March 02, 2009, 05:52:32 PM
Their email has been returned and after numerous phone calls no-one bothered picking up the phone. I must look for 'Briar Rose' next year
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: derekb on March 02, 2009, 06:55:33 PM
Just to prove you do not have to pay a lot of money to get good plants, these 2 are self seedlings.

Derek
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Jo on March 02, 2009, 08:26:01 PM
Just to prove you do not have to pay a lot of money to get good plants, these 2 are self seedlings.

Derek

I'm enjoying everyones pics of their hellebore seedlings, especially as they didn't have to spend too much money on them  ;D ;D  I'm hoping for similar bargains from my snowdrops some time  :o :o

However just to show I enjoy producing my own plants as well, here are a few of the seedlings out at the moment in my garden, courtesy of mother nature.  Incidently who does need a gene pool to work with  ;) ;)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Jo on March 02, 2009, 08:33:30 PM
Ian, some lovely pics,   I love the scent of H odorus, it can fill quite an area.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: mark smyth on March 02, 2009, 08:52:47 PM
Jo your Hellebore 7 is lovely
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on March 02, 2009, 09:01:39 PM
Jo, I like nos 1 and 2, especially 2.... the dark nectaries are yummy! Since these are your seedlings... this must make you a yummy mummy! Such fun, I'm told that this is what all Mums want to be now!  8)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Jo on March 02, 2009, 09:10:54 PM
Jo your Hellebore 7 is lovely

Thanks Mark, it is a soft cream background with red freckles and turned up this year where I have a good yellow plant and a mish mash of purples which I did from seed labelled 'atropurpureum' from the HPS seed exchange.

Mmmmmmmmm, I'm not sure if yummy mummy is a scarey concept, a bit X-files maybe Maggi :o ( is this smiley shocked or scared ? ), yes the first two are good but they face the wrong way in the garden. I have to grap them and turn them round to see !!

Perhaps name  hellebore 7,  'Devonshire Spotted Cream'  :)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: johnw on March 02, 2009, 11:45:44 PM
Jo - An incredible batch of seedlings you have.

Thought others might be interested in some of the Ashwoods at the RHS Show in February.  The blacks were amazing but one at Stella Tracey's and one at Fred Hunt's still take top marks - both were a shiny coal black.


johnw
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on March 02, 2009, 11:53:08 PM
Quote
Fred Hunt's

 You were at Fred's place.... in Scotland????  :o :o
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: ian mcenery on March 02, 2009, 11:54:35 PM
Ian, you have some very nice babies, I particularly like the atrorubens and the black seedlings. :)


Helen the species are lovely aren't they but they are unfortunately very slow to put on growth  :(

Ian, some lovely pics,   I love the scent of H odorus, it can fill quite an area.

you know Jo in spite of the name odorus I hadn't thought to sniff at it. So tomorrow
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on March 02, 2009, 11:59:06 PM
Quote
you know Jo in spite of the name odorus I hadn't thought to sniff at it. So tomorrow

 Crikey, Ian, for a start, there is often a clue  ::) and then there is me ..... and Lesley Cox.... always waxing lyrical about the scent of things.... admit it, you never listen to us, do you.... and we're not even married ??!!??
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: ian mcenery on March 03, 2009, 12:01:52 AM
Quote
you know Jo in spite of the name odorus I hadn't thought to sniff at it. So tomorrow

 Crikey, Ian, for a start, there is often a clue  ::) and then there is me ..... and Lesley Cox.... always waxing lyrical about the scent of things.... admit it, you never listen to us, do you.... and we're not even married ??!!??

What was that pardon ;D ;)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on March 03, 2009, 12:22:52 AM

What was that pardon ;D ;)

[attach=1]

[attach=2]
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Jo on March 03, 2009, 10:22:35 AM
Jo - An incredible batch of seedlings you have.

Thought others might be interested in some of the Ashwoods at the RHS Show in February.  The blacks were amazing but one at Stella Tracey's and one at Fred Hunt's still take top marks - both were a shiny coal black.


johnw

Beautiful display of hellebore flowers John, there is so much variation these days.  I just can't bring myself to cut off the flowers like that for a bowl, it seems cruel :'( :'( ;D

I love the blacks too. I especially select seedlings at the cotyledon leaf stage which are showing black. Then you get really black young foliage which shows well against snowdrops.

The anemone centred flowers are really pretty but don't last well cos they shed the inner ruff when pollinated, like a normal flower does its anthers.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: johnw on March 03, 2009, 11:54:19 AM
Quote
Fred Hunt's

 You were at Fred's place.... in Scotland????  :o :o

Way back in 2001.

You know we would have dropped by to see you with trowel in hand had it been in February 2009.

johnw
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: johnw on March 03, 2009, 11:57:01 AM
Jo - I really like that white with the fine dark line on the edges but it really is hard to choose a favourite.

White most of the east got a huge snowfall yesterday we shot up to +9c with heavy rain. This melted much of the snow leaving behind sheets of ice at the bottom.

johnw
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Jo on March 03, 2009, 12:17:11 PM
I don't fancy your weather at the moment John, do you get lovely summers ?

Here are some black flowers in the rain this morning. When I say flowers I mean foliage really  :) The dark foliage and flowers disappear against a dark mulch of compost so need to have bright foliage around them.
So I'd better get out and plant some of those nice pewter leaved cyclamen under them :D
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: maggiepie on March 03, 2009, 12:37:35 PM


Helen the species are lovely aren't they but they are unfortunately very slow to put on growth  :(


Ian, at my advanced age maybe I should start looking for plants rather than playing with seeds. ::)

Jo, the blacks are lovely, I don't think I have ever seen one with leaves as dark before.

Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on March 03, 2009, 12:57:03 PM
Quote
Fred Hunt's

 You were at Fred's place.... in Scotland????  :o :o

Way back in 2001.

You know we would have dropped by to see you with trowel in hand had it been in February 2009.

johnw

Oh, that's okay then..... if it was around the Conference time in 2001 we were really busy, so I'll forgive you that, too!
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: johnw on March 03, 2009, 01:55:54 PM
I don't fancy your weather at the moment John, do you get lovely summers ?

Jo 

Summers are usually superb here although it has been unusually wet in August the last two years. Even folks in the UK mentioned the same thing.  Autumns are also great and can last till early December.  Spring while very cool and often foggy is the season I enjoy the most as it can start as early as mid March and last into June and the bloom lasts a long long time.

johnw
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Mick McLoughlin on March 06, 2009, 07:55:47 PM
One just flowering now Helleborus viridis occidentalis, taken at the weekend.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Hristo on March 08, 2009, 12:52:54 PM
Bulgaria, Elenski Visocheeni - Flowering today in the wild 500m+ on mudstone, Helleborus odorus.
Woods will be full of them in the next few weeks.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: cohan on March 08, 2009, 07:09:32 PM
nice to see--the only one i have seen around here is some rather anemic florist plant in the floral section at the supermarket i work at...lol
i have seen some species listed that might make it here, i will be trying eventually..
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Rob on March 09, 2009, 02:23:58 PM
Here are some anemone centered hellebores photographed in my garden today.

Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: gote on March 09, 2009, 05:15:15 PM
Bulgaria, Elenski Visocheeni - Flowering today in the wild 500m+ on mudstone, Helleborus odorus.
Woods will be full of them in the next few weeks.
Nice looking one. Do you think it could survive in Sweden with the occasional -20°C
Göte
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Hristo on March 11, 2009, 02:16:02 PM
Gote,
Yes I would think so, it remains underground / under snow until now when temps aren't so cool, winter temps here do get to
-25! Will keep an eye out for seed later in the year.  :)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: gote on March 11, 2009, 05:42:34 PM
-25! Will keep an eye out for seed later in the year.  :)
Thank you very much, I really appreciate that. Many of the orientalis hybrids will not survive in my garden.
Göte
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: David Nicholson on March 11, 2009, 07:31:42 PM
Here are some anemone centered hellebores photographed in my garden today.



Lovely Rob, are they from Linnett Farm, I haven't managed to get there yet.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on March 15, 2009, 10:44:11 PM
A selection of the hellebores in my garden.......... click the pix to enlarge,,
....a  good dark flower
......H. argutifolius (wrongly named on the photo file as x sternii?)
... flower with a good patch
....spreckled flower
....dark pink
....budding up
...H. thibetanus
....spotty 1
....spotty2
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on March 15, 2009, 10:56:45 PM
First three are of a nicely marked yellow Ashwood hybrid, chosen for me last year by Diane Clement.... thanks, Diane.... looking good isn't it?    Click the pix to enlarge,,,
 Whole plant, close up and bud interior...

....new growth on dark helly
...pink hellebore with pink corydalis
....plain pale yellow
....red flower and bud
....reddish helly
...reddish helly interior
....in the garden.... the hellebores are just starting in some beds....
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Hristo on March 16, 2009, 07:01:49 AM
Maggi, WOW! A super collection, so good to see so many colour variations again. The Hellebores were farmed out to friends and familly in the UK before coming here and they are a real miss! Thanks for the visual treat!  :) :o
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on March 16, 2009, 11:52:46 AM
Thanks, Chris! I don't have as many as I would like.... Ian strongly resents any planting space not taken up by erythroniums, so I have to just sneak the odd one in here and there!
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on March 16, 2009, 01:46:35 PM
Some pretty impressive "odd ones" there Maggi !  :o
I love the yellow one - it seems to be "true" yellow - very often the so called yellow ones are more creamy !  Very nice !
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Hristo on March 16, 2009, 03:16:43 PM
Maggi, I see the conflict, but then the Erythroniums can always grow under the Hellebores!  :o ;D
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Diane Clement on March 16, 2009, 10:34:41 PM
First three are of a nicely marked yellow Ashwood hybrid, chosen for me last year by Diane Clement.... thanks, Diane.... looking good isn't it? 

Yes, Maggi, the yellow one has obviously settled well into life in the far north.  Nice to see it looking so healthy. 
And the others all look pretty good as well!  ;D
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Carol Shaw on March 17, 2009, 08:38:21 AM
David took these pix. on Sunday and, as he hasn't posted them, I decided I would :)

Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: johanneshoeller on March 17, 2009, 04:46:12 PM
A present from a friend: a Helleborus with more than 20 flowers.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on March 17, 2009, 11:33:25 PM
Some more of my hellebores taken on the 16th March....... click the pix to enlarge these.....
1 -a spotted flower - bug-chewed  >:(
2- the reverse of a dark plum flower
3-These are much darker than they appear in the pic
4-good markings inside and outside the blossom
5- a good white
6- H. foetidus.... a seedling from 'Wester Flisk'
7- I am partial to spreckled flowers  :D
8- I don't mind spotted ones, either, this is a lightly spotted white


Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on March 17, 2009, 11:38:13 PM
 1 and 2 -shots of a large dark flower that I like a lot...
3- a pale spreckle
4-a small pink spreckle
5-hellebores and Colchicum leaves
6-still more hellebores to come  8)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Roberto G on April 02, 2009, 07:54:32 AM
here the image of a late flowering double hybrid

Roberto
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Gerry on April 02, 2009, 01:57:42 PM
That's a splendid thing Roberto.

Gerry
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: gote on April 05, 2009, 10:16:00 AM
It is too early to be sure but all those of my orientalis that came out early had the flowers killed. The late ones seem OK. Niger seems to be OK Thibeticum seems to be slightly disturbed by the latest frosts. Viride is OK. No flowers have yet really opened.
My experience of Thibeticum thus far is that it is never killed by cold. Not even fully develped flowers are killed but they will show some disturbance being less magnificent then usual.
Göte
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: gote on April 27, 2009, 04:05:43 PM
I wonder if anyone will see this since it is so late in the year.
Anyway, Yesterday I took a look to see which Hellbores had survived the winter.
Most of them are self sown seedlings. However,
#3 is a Hrwington hybrid once bougt at Wisley.
#4 is viride from north east Spain
#5 is a seedlilng from 'Jupiter' bought many years ago from Klose.
All the rest came by themselves.
Göte
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on April 27, 2009, 06:12:15 PM
If anyone needed to be convinced that to grow from seed , or to allow your plants to seed themselves, is a good idea... the fact that these beauties which have survived a winter in which you have lost other plants are so pretty must be a fine example.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Stephen Vella on August 08, 2009, 12:15:34 AM
I thought I would bring this one up from the dead for us Aussies and New Zealanders that have Hellebores out at the moment ;D

Hellebores in my garden, some originally from breeders in the U.K and some from Australian breeders. Enjoy.

double cream

cream with pink veins

primrose

yellow picotee

black dark nectarines

pink anemone

white spotted anemone with frills

double white with pink veins

double cream with pink veins

white red centre
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Stephen Vella on August 08, 2009, 12:36:50 AM
and some more

Pink 'with dark centre

Apricot, its as good as it gets here.

White picotee

Lemon

Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: johnw on August 08, 2009, 04:25:53 AM
Fantastic Hellebores Stephen!

johnw
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Stephen Vella on August 11, 2009, 12:38:04 PM
Thanks John,

Some more from a recent buy from Peter Leigh at Post office nusery here in Aus.

And a tissue cultured  H x ericsmithii and H x sternii.
enjoy
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: David Nicholson on August 11, 2009, 08:33:34 PM
Lovely collection Stephen.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Paul T on August 13, 2009, 05:44:15 AM
Just caught up with these... wonderful, Stephen.  Particularly the double black, and double yellow with red veins.  Does the black with dark nectaries always have that many petals?  Interesting effect, if so.  They all put most of mine to shame, that is for sure.  Excellent selection of colours you've posted. Thanks for sharing them.   8)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Stephen Vella on August 13, 2009, 09:36:22 AM
Hi Paul,

Im glad you like them

The black is a new plant and yes it throws a few flowers with many petals and some with the normal five. It sure is differant.

cheers
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Ragged Robin on August 13, 2009, 12:12:32 PM
Really gorgeous collection Stephen - my favourite is your black dark nectarines - although it's hard to choose as they are all so different and special in their own way  :)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Paul T on August 16, 2009, 08:27:50 AM
Here's a selection of mine that are in flower at the moment.....

The last 3 are seedlings of my own crosses.  I love the two anemone centreds, but particularly the reverse picotee version.  8)

Please click on the pic for a larger version.  If pics are too large, please let me know.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Ragged Robin on August 16, 2009, 10:50:06 AM
A lovely selection, Paul, I really likem the anemone centred ones as well and have not seen them before - congratulations on your success ;)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Geebo on August 16, 2009, 03:50:04 PM
Hello to all the forumnists,
Thanks for all the Beautifully footage,keep posting. :D
Just doing a bit of browsing inside due to the muggy grey day,and would like You to share some pictures of my Hellebore's taking during the winter and spring 2008 / 2009.
..... ;)

Guy.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on August 16, 2009, 04:56:12 PM
Hellebores really are plants that deserve to have their photos taken, aren't they? so pretty.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Geebo on August 16, 2009, 08:38:51 PM
 Yes Maggi, Everytime a new one reveal its secret in spring it brings out a smile on me...... :D

Guy
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Paul T on August 16, 2009, 11:39:10 PM
Beautiful, Guy.  I'd love to grow most of those, particularly that double niger!!  :o
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Stephen Vella on August 17, 2009, 04:22:30 AM
Nice Yellow spot and golden nectarines and the dounble niger too.

Thanks for posting, Paul and Guy.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Otto Fauser on August 17, 2009, 09:04:44 AM
Guy , you certainly have reason to smile on your Hellebore babies , I particular like your
pale pink ,spotted, and 'Lilac Picotee'
 but your 'Betty Ranicar' is not quite up to the original, which originated in a garden in
 Tasmania - seedlings usually come 90% double .
 At the moment have slate double in flower -rather nice .
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on August 17, 2009, 09:23:25 AM
Hello to all the forumnists,
Thanks for all the Beautifully footage,keep posting. :D
Just doing a bit of browsing inside due to the muggy grey day,and would like You to share some pictures of my Hellebore's taking during the winter and spring 2008 / 2009.
..... ;)

Guy.

Guy,
Your failing to post last Spring had not passed unnoted !
Great that you are making up for this and posting all these exceptional beauties right now !!
Thanks !
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Ragged Robin on August 17, 2009, 10:22:34 AM
Caching up with such lovely Hellebores is a real treat Guy - H lilac picotee is so pretty but I also like H green cups
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Otto Fauser on August 19, 2009, 03:35:32 AM
Afew Hellebores I picked in my garden this morning
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Paul T on August 19, 2009, 03:44:51 AM
Otto,

I love the double black at the top, and that partway between and anemone centre and double in the last pic is very unusual.  All are beautiful though!  8)  Thanks for the pics.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Stephen Vella on August 19, 2009, 07:12:00 AM
Otto, nice lilac picotees with the viens.


Cheers
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Ragged Robin on August 19, 2009, 07:16:32 AM
Otto, what a treat to see your hellebore heads so beautifully displayed on a table and in an old basket - they are all without doubt gorgeous.  Seeing them mixed like this in colour and form makes me think that floating them in water is the best way to admire them once cut.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: 4moreaction on August 19, 2009, 08:08:34 AM
just wanted hear if there are any of you who are growing Helleborus orientalis ssp abchasicus, in hope of getting my hands on some fresh seeds of this beautyful helleborus.  ???    (ftp://www.lundhede.com/images/46-1730.jpg [/ftp)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Geebo on August 19, 2009, 08:21:26 PM
Yes otto You are right about "Betty Ranicar"it was my first one got into flower from seeds I got from Jelitto,and I got a bit exited,I got better ones sinds,I have one in the garden started to flower last Year the 15Th November and went on till April(very few seeds tough) I post a picture the next time, have to go and find them in my folders and resize first.Really like Your postings,real beauties and it made me looking forward to the new season here.I would like to keep them all.
Yes luc,I missed out a while just found it difficult to keep up with all my work due to bad artritish,and found little or no time to make it on the forum,altough i had a peep beyond the panel now and then.NOW am tied inside awaiting surgery,so you see more of me.thanks a lot for your responce.see You soon :D
Cheers,to all
Guy
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: 4moreaction on August 20, 2009, 06:27:47 AM
I'll kick off this thread with a mention of an amazing sight I saw on Friday. At a lunch of Friday there was much talk about a local nursery specialising in Hellebores with a huge range of colours and forms. It was only a couple of miles away so we left slightly early. We found little signs pointing the way up country lanes and came to a large house with two huge polytunnels with 5000 hellebores. There were clean yellows, picotee yellows, Anenome centred yellows, double yellows and all colours that Hellebores come in in these forms. The three of us were like children in a toy shop shouting "look at this one", "look at this". The cost was £18 for 3 singles of any colour and £24 for 3 doubles and Anemone centred. The nursery is at Linnett Farm, Ullingswick, Herefordshire.

Last year we, Margaret G, Bob and I, were given plants of John Massy's new Hellebore hybrid, thibetanus x niger, 'Pink Ice'. They weren't flowering but this year they are and the flowers are brilliant. Photo later this week

I wonder if You still got the contact info for this place Mark? 
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: 4moreaction on August 20, 2009, 06:34:16 AM
And here are some singles and a hellebore wedding photo.  I chose these ones because all of them look good from above which is how you seem to see them in a garden. 
I might have gone a bit mad but at £5 for a single and £8 for a double they seemed too good to miss, and they bring new blood to my genetic stock


the one with slate blue color is just amazing!!!  Wish we had some gardencenter selling that large sortiment! 
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Paul T on August 20, 2009, 07:10:35 AM
A nice little anemone centred seedling I discovered in my garden yesterday.... white with a faint tinge of pink on the outside of the petals.

Please click on the pic for a larger version
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Stephen Vella on August 20, 2009, 09:55:15 AM
Check out this black Hellebore....black leaves with black flowers, petty amazing looking. This one I bought from Ian Collier many years ago at a sales day. Does anyone know if he still sells his hellebores,plants or seeds?

cheers
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Ray on August 20, 2009, 10:05:02 AM
Hi Stephen,I asked the same question,have a look at reply 80 in the SH thead,from Paul bye Ray
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on August 20, 2009, 10:11:17 AM
Yes luc,I missed out a while just found it difficult to keep up with all my work due to bad artritish,and found little or no time to make it on the forum,altough i had a peep beyond the panel now and then.NOW am tied inside awaiting surgery,so you see more of me.thanks a lot for your responce.see You soon :D
Cheers,to all
Guy

We all wish you to get better real soon Guy !  :D
But don't let good health keep you from posting here...  ;)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on August 20, 2009, 11:13:45 AM
I'll kick off this thread with a mention of an amazing sight I saw on Friday. At a lunch of Friday there was much talk about a local nursery specialising in Hellebores with a huge range of colours and forms. It was only a couple of miles away so we left slightly early. We found little signs pointing the way up country lanes and came to a large house with two huge polytunnels with 5000 hellebores. There were clean yellows, picotee yellows, Anenome centred yellows, double yellows and all colours that Hellebores come in in these forms. The three of us were like children in a toy shop shouting "look at this one", "look at this". The cost was £18 for 3 singles of any colour and £24 for 3 doubles and Anemone centred. The nursery is at Linnett Farm, Ullingswick, Herefordshire.

Last year we, Margaret G, Bob and I, were given plants of John Massy's new Hellebore hybrid, thibetanus x niger, 'Pink Ice'. They weren't flowering but this year they are and the flowers are brilliant. Photo later this week

I wonder if You still got the contact info for this place Mark? 


 Matti, the contact details were given a couple of posts after the one you quoted!
here they are: .. Linnett Farm Plants, Ullingswick HR1 3JQ  - open Saturdays, Sundays & Wednesdays, 10am-5pm, January-April; tel 01432 820337 or 07917 787856.
 Mark also pointed out that the nursery does not yet do mail order!!
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: David Nicholson on August 20, 2009, 07:52:18 PM
I think Mark mentioned that the nursery owner intended to retire and last year was his final growing year, or am I dreaming ???
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Maggi Young on August 20, 2009, 08:12:10 PM
I don't remember that, David..... I just went to check the thread and found nothing and sadly the link to the  newspaper article that Luit had found is no longer active.  :(
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: David Nicholson on August 20, 2009, 08:17:03 PM
Mark???
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Geebo on August 23, 2009, 01:56:28 PM
Here a few more of our hellebore`s I want to show,"Betty Ranicar" as a better plant potgrown for the winter.
It happens the first time the plants flower don't show there full potential,and usual flower better the second time round,it also has been seen with our Hepatica`s Nobilis
Enjoy the pics,
I keep it up Luc  8)

Cheers,Guy  :D
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Rob on August 23, 2009, 10:41:44 PM
Re Linnett Farm

I found this link http://www.herefordshirelife.co.uk/search-winter�s-most-exquisite-flower--182207 which says Basil Smith the owner was born in 1929 so he is 80 this year.

I think he was looking for a trade buyer for his stock plants so he could retire, but at the moment I still see his plants at the health food shop in Church St, Hereford, so he must still be running the nursery.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Paul T on August 23, 2009, 11:40:10 PM
Guy,

Beautiful!  Particularly the double slate and that gorgeous apricot. Thanks for the pics.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Stephen Vella on August 24, 2009, 03:30:45 AM
Nice Hellebores Guy, nice aprcot.

Have you ever bred with Betty Ranicar?

I've heard some breeders here using this cultivar in their breeding programs for new double colour strains

Hope your well.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Paul T on August 24, 2009, 09:40:09 AM
A couple of anemone centred that are in flower for me at the moment.  Both purchased years ago.  The pink is quite murky in colour this year... usually a bit brighter than this.

Please click on the pic for a larger version.  If pics are too large, please let me know.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Geebo on August 24, 2009, 09:23:52 PM
Nice Anemone flowered  Paul,the colours could differ sometime,supppose soil condition.......Not to sure,also when bought from under cover,could make a difference the next Year  >:(.

I have done some breeding work with "B Ranicar" in the last years and have Young plants who look promissing as a plant but await the result of the flowers ... :P  ::) always a secret!!!???

Cheers, 
GUY
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Ragged Robin on September 03, 2009, 04:41:41 PM
Guy,

Beautiful!  Particularly the double slate and that gorgeous apricot. Thanks for the pics.

My choice too! Lovely photos of your Hellebores Guy.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Geebo on September 05, 2009, 10:13:54 AM
Thanks to all, ;) ;) ;)

The result off 15 long years of hard and intensive work and with the help of good friends,i would have not being able to get the results.
We already looking to the new season to reveal some more surprises we hope  :o
Cheers,
Guy.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Roma on September 17, 2009, 10:15:22 PM
Flowering now, two self-sown double seedlings.  I think the seed parent was a single pink which should have been a double as one of five unflowered seedlings from Ashfield a few years ago.   
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Jeffnz on September 18, 2009, 01:39:26 AM
Have not visited the site for some time but noticed the postings re hellebores from Linnett Farm Nursery. I have been lead to understand that Basil is in the throes of closing the nursery and possibly also hybridising.
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Paul T on September 26, 2009, 02:40:52 AM
Roma,

Your two seedlings are beautiful.  Sometimes those singles that appear in seedlings when doubles are expected can produce some lovely offspring if you have the space to keep them and let them seed.  Myself, I'm so far out of space that my seedlings from my own crossings are still in their community pots after a few years as I don't have the space to put them out.  They'd all have flowered by now too.  Still, I do get some nice ones manage to flower in the community pots from time to time, which is always a thrill.  Now, if I just had the space to plant them out.  ::)  Congrats on your two lovely surprise doubles.  Both very different, but both beautiful in their individual ways. 8)
Title: Re: Hellebores 2009
Post by: Geebo on September 26, 2009, 01:24:48 PM
Hi Roma,I really like the double you posted,it shows again it is just unpredictable what seedlings You come up it is the surprises I like when the go over to show after 3 or 4 year what You get.(Or not)  :-\ :-\

Yes Paul,You are so right,space is always become a problem with time in hellebore's growing,every Year I get more seedlings,as I cant resist to get in to hybridising a few every year,it is a hobby what is running out of hand with me,but i keep growing ;) ;)

Cheers
Guy
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