In the Garden 01-17-10

Garden

Discussion

January 18, 2010

By LeeAnn Barton Special to the NewsPress The Stillwater News Press Mon Jan 18, 2010, 11:12 AM CST

STILLWATER, Okla. — I watch with anticipation as my flowers return each spring. The daffodil foliage is quickly gaining height; I wait to see the first flower spike on one of my hellebores.

Hellebores, a.k.a. Christmas or Lenten rose depending on the species, long ago fell into favor with me.

They are one of those plants that look good 98 percent of the time, take very little attention and bloom early. This is probably why Hellebore was chosen as the Oklahoma Proven plant in 2008.

Helleborus hybridus, formerly H. orientalis, is an evergreen perennial for shade to part sun. Originating in the wooded mountains of Austria, it quickly became a favorite in English gardens and woodland settings.

This plant has large, dark green, five-fingered leaves that, when mature, reach 12 inches in diameter. H. hybridus rarely grows more than 12 inches tall, but undisturbed plant may spread up to 30 inches.

Fleshy flower stems arise from the crown of the plant in time for Lent-hence, the common name Lenten rose. Cream to apple-green blooms flecked with maroon fade to a pale pink in the species H. orientalis. Cross-pollination and selection have opened the garden door to bloom colors that range from cream to dark wine, with butter yellow and dusty pinks no longer uncommon in plant catalogs.

I have always preferred the light-colored blooms for the simple reason they show off better in a shaded bed. The dark colors are handsome but often the flowers get lost in the shadows.

Blooms often remain six weeks before fading, surviving nighttime temperatures of 10 degrees. Interesting seed capsules develop from the center of the flower in the latter weeks of bloom.

It is not uncommon for hellebores to reseed when seed is left to mature. If you desire a large patch, provide soft soil around the plant in which the new seed may germinate and mature.

Today, breeding replaces collection, with new varieties being introduced each year. Plant Lenten roses 2 feet apart in shade, filtered or morning sun. They look good en masse, or interspersed with hostas to retain green foliage in the winter hosta bed.

Provide decent drainage, tapering off the water as bloom stems develop. I water my plants every week to 10 days through the summer, skipping the application if we are blessed with rain. Fertilize in the fall with cottonseed meal, a slow-release organic fertilizer.

LeeAnn Barton can be e-mailed at leeannbarton@sbcglobal.net.

Text Only

Garden

In the Garden 02-05-12
Many of you may have noticed last summer’s extreme heat sending trees, shrubs and flowers into dormancy.

February 4, 2012
In the Garden 01-22-12
Gardeners who have taken advantage of our mild winter days this year are well aware that these moderate temperatures are giving the weeds a head start.

January 21, 2012
In the Garden 01-15-12
Most Oklahomans realize the steps to a gorgeous lawn begin now, in the still of winter.

January 14, 2012
In the Garden 01-08-12
One of the best bulbs for naturalizing is known by a number of different names.

January 7, 2012
In the Garden 01-01-12
I hope everyone enjoyed time with family and friends over the holidays.

December 31, 2011
In the Garden 12-18-11
Many people who love flowers throughout the spring and summer are hesitant to try indoor color for lack of space or anticipation of a mess.

December 17, 2011
In the Garden 12-04-11
Oklahomans are unique, there’s no question about that.

December 4, 2011
In the Garden 11-20-11
Who hasn’t been enjoying the unusually warm days of this November?

November 19, 2011
In the Garden 10-23-11
One of the most common ways we bring the outdoors in is with houseplants.

October 22, 2011
In the Garden 10-09-11
Did you know Stillwater is home to a world-class botanical garden?

October 8, 2011
More Garden Headlines

Garden

Search Results

Discussion

In the Garden 01-17-10

Site Map

Contact Us