" The author of the following text is a reader of the magazine Przepis na Ogród - Anna Witkowska, Latkowo. "
My hellebores have a permanent place under the cherry plum and tamarisk, whose branches reaching the ground protect them from the wind.At the same time, the shrub devoid of leaves lets sunlight through.That is why I advise planting hellebores under deciduous trees and shrubs, and not among conifers.
This position is also supported by the fact that these perennials like calcareous soil,
and conifers, as a rule, sour.I am writing about it because a wandering in the garden is not good for them. Roots susceptible to mechanical damage do not tolerate transplanting well, which causes a delay in flowering.In addition to fertile soil, calcareous hellebore also tolerate slightly loamy but well-drained soil.They will be grateful for drainage, humus or compost.
Hellebores need some moisture in the summer to make a lot of flower buds. Drought is not in their favor.In rainless periods, you should therefore water them regularly.I feed my pets with Azofoska once a year, and in autumn I spread compost or granulated manure around them.
The most widespread species grown in our gardens is the white hellebore Helleborus niger. It has snow-white flowers and black roots. It blooms depending on the aura - from late autumn until April.
Eastern hellebore Helleborus orientalis blooms in very early spring. Its flowers come in various shades of pink and white. They grow directly on shoots
from the root stump.The bright green flowers of the foul hellebore Helleborus foetidus develop from February to June, grow up to 0.5 m in height and are decorative until the seeds ripen . This species owes its name to spicy-smelling roots.
Another interesting item in my collection is the Corsican hellebore Helleborus argutifolius. Its unique yellow-green flowers appear from February to April.Like the fetid hellebore, they are located at the ends of leafy shoots.
The best way to breed hellebores is to divide large carp. May and June are good dates - right after flowering. New plants should have 3-5 leaves and they should be provided with constantly moist soil.
Beautiful perennials in the winter garden
Hellebores can also be obtained from seed, but then there is no guarantee that they will repeat the characteristics of the mother plant.Seeds harvested in May or June should be sown immediately, because they quickly lose their germination. We will have to wait longer for flowers than when multiplying by division, even up to 3 years.
Although hellebores are not afraid of low temperatures, they are very frosty, especially
in a snowless winter, it can damage leaves and flower shoots.In such a situation, provide them with appropriate cover.
