Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural
There is a lot you would quite rightly expect to see in the Mediterranean Landscape at Kew - olive trees, of which there are many (and my garden has them both old and gnarled) rock roses - Cistus of many varieties Hebes - ditto above Phlomis tuberosa (ragged) tall slender Cypress (I shall use a…
Continue reading ➞ The Mediterranean Landscape at Kew
I'm getting to rather like this hellebore, Pirouette, for the beautiful congestion of flowers and buds, toothed foliage and compact form. Dusky buds, opening to white blooms fading to equally dusky pink. Typical dark green, leathery leaves on a plant reaching 15" (I'm in an Imperial Mood). While I am on the subject, Helleborus foetidus,…
Continue reading ➞ Prima ballerina – Helleborus x ericsmithii ‘Pirouette’
The seasons begin their shift towards Spring - isn't it noticeably lighter, later, already - and Hellebores will be coming to the fore. Certainly a plant that can be the subject of (more than) a mild addiction. Penny's Pink Plant breeder Rodney Davey gives us this beauty - Penny's Pink - and another (my favourite)…
Continue reading ➞ Hellebore Heaven – Penny’s Pink and Pirouette
Hellebore Gold Collection Ice Breaker Max(i) I'm a little confused by this one, as the label at Wisley - is not 'Helleborus x ericsmithii' as it appears elsewhere in The Internet, and is more Ice Breaker Maxi than Max. It might also be synonymous with the name Winter's Glow. Hey Ho. Beautiful nevertheless. http://www.perennials.com/plants/helleborus-ericsmithii-winters-glow.html http://www.helleborus.de/engl/hgc_eng.htm
Just two simple pictures today - most forms of Hellebore really get into their stride in very early Spring - and some continue long into Summer. In the vanguard are these delightful pure white forms of Helleborus niger, the Christmas Rose. Plenty of time for the rich ruffles of plum, chocolate and slate that come…
Continue reading ➞ Christmas Rose – Helleborus niger
Very probably the No. 1 Frequently Asked Question I hear deals with shade and what to plant in the supposedly inhospitable, gloomy parts of the garden. Of course there are different kind of shade, from buildings, fences, other plants, overhanging trees, deep shade, dappled shade, dry shade, damp shade, partial shade, at different times of…
Continue reading ➞ Plants for a shady garden?
Unexpected sunshine this afternoon at the RHS gardens at Wisley in Surrey. More than a whiff of spring, with plenty of colourful bulbs coming through (the crocus especially), some stunning camellias and the odd rhododendron too. Hellebores are still going strong, the Alpine House as usual, is captivating. Old favourites - Edgworthia chrysantha and the…
Continue reading ➞ Sunshine at RHS Wisley, Surrey (Part I)
Picotee relates to pale flowers with a red or purple edging to the petals and sometimes purple veins and purple nectaries. Hellebore flower forms can be anemone-centred, double, spotted and single. A lot of hybridising is going on for greater colour range and more extravagant forms. I should think not all will be completely successful…
Continue reading ➞ Hellebore Harvington Hybrids ‘Picotee’
Anna's Red, a superb new introduction from Devon based nurseryman Rodney Davey, named for Anna Pavord. Rich colouring, great contrast, pearly sheen to new buds and pink colouration to marbling on new foliage, fading to cream. Large blooms, outward facing or slightly nodding. A delight and the fruit of twelve years of work by this…
Continue reading ➞ Hellebore Anna’s Red
The Teddington Gardener 