You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
Victor - thank you for stirring the pot.
This is one of my favourite plants, and in my opinion, under-utilized.
I live in Hellebore Heaven, just outside Seattle. They take more sun here than other areas of the country, but we are known for our cooler summers as well as that pesky sun-deficit that looms large. My Corsicans & orientalis' are enormous & florific, AND, withstand the abuse of rapid-motion dog tails.
I appreciate the article that you've written - hopefully the result will be a greater interest & availability of this lovely & undemanding plant.
Next one: more pics!
kate
Thank you very much, Kate! I am already planning one on the hybridization process but maybe one just on the many varieties available - with more photos! Thanks again.
Hello Victor,
Im hoping that perhaps you have time to give me some tips on how to start Hellebores from seed? I have a large clump of them (3 x 6 feet) and every year they produce tons of seed. well maybe not tons, but at least 1/2 a cup's worth. I have saved the seed from last year, but I dont know how to get it sprouted - Ive tried to start new plants from seed (the year previously) and nothing happened, so I must be doing something wrong. This clump of Hellebores "came with the house" when we moved in - it was planted in FULL SUN - in Virginia? Ive been too chicken to move it - its doing fine and I dont want to accidently kill it.
I would love to start some new clumps of hellebores in the shade where they belong...
I wish I could help but I have no experience trying them from seeds. I have only heard from friends that the success rate is not very high. Someone sent me some last fall but I forgot to plant them! My intention was to saw them outside in the fall. I like to try to mimic Mother Nature. Sorry I could not help more.
Yes, I tried that method and for good measure I also tried soaking and filing down some of the shell. I think youre right- it probably takes 1000 seeds to get one sprout! I thought I was on a roll last year when I actually found a peony tree seedling- sprouted from one only of 5 seeds that I had carefully soaked and planted - and yet, I am unable to get a single hellebore from seed! Well, thanks for writing and letting me know that maybe Im not doing anything wrong- its just difficult :)
