Temptation stared me in the face today when we made our first visit of the year to the garden centre and I could not resist. She just had to fall into my basket - she being hellebore 'Walberton's Rosemary'. She is a new introduction and is described here and here by Graham Rice as the 'Holy Grail Of Hellebores'. She is a cross between hellebore niger and hellebore orientalis and was raised by plant breeder David Tristram, whose father played a large part in the development of the ‘Potter's Wheel' Christmas rose in the 1960s. I did not know all this when I decided that she must come home with us but was drawn to the plant by its large flowers, vibrant colour and the fact that there are many more buds waiting to open.
I came away with a few other purchases too. The purpose of the trip had been to buy some seed potatoes and I came away with two of the varieties on my list - 'Lady Christl' and 'Pink Fir Apple'. I excitedly spotted another variety on the list but they were already well sprouted, the result of being kept in too warm conditions so I left them on the shelf. I made a beeline for some of the highly scented white 'Casa Blanca' lilies which I am sure can go in a pot somewhere My last purchase was a couple of dahlias -'Black Wizard' and 'David Howard' which are destined for the allotment.
Back home it was warm enough for the first time this year to work outside without feeling that fingers were about to drop off. A special bonus - the sun came out and spring does not seem so much in doubt.
She is very pretty! We have been getting a lot of rain. Just recently the sun came out and I went outside and things are starting to get new growth! You're right spring is not too far.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Hellebore, lovely colour... Especially exciting to see at this time of year when the Spring Bulbs aren't quite up yet!
How pretty! I must go out after it stops raining in a couple days and see if any of my hellebores are blooming!
ReplyDeleteAnna:
ReplyDeleteHurray! Now you can post about your new Helleborus 'Walberton's Rosemary.' I have been following recent press on it both from the esteemable Mr Rice as well as Riz Reyes on his blog. She certainly has a wonderful saturated colour and her petals have a wonderful cascading effect to say the least. I shall base my decision on how she performs for you. I anxiously await the appearance [fingers crossed] of H. thibetanus! So much anticipation placed on the fragile stems of one plant! The rest of your purchases sound wonderful as well.
What a beauty! Sounds like you had a very nice day at the garden center. It's great to hear it's feeling like Spring isn't too far off there, have fun in your garden.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Love that colour, I don't see it very much in hellebores :D
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to get into your garden! :)
Pretty in pink! :o)
ReplyDeleteI do so love hellebores. I will have to wait until Tumbledown is a little more organised before I can go on a shopping spree but I have several helleobres on the list already ;o)
RO xx
What a beautiful hellebore! Now I want one or two or more for my garden; I will be on the lookout for it.
ReplyDeleteI've confessed to my hellebore love (and envy of those who have many of them) but this year I plan to add a couple more to my collection of 2! So I wholeheartedly celebrate yours.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna~~ I can see why Rebbecca the holy grail has been crowned as such. What a beauty she is. Who can resist those delicious deep pink petals? Don't you love it when you buy a plant because it just grabs you and won't let go?
ReplyDeleteThen you do the research and find out it's a favorite for many others too? As a friend of mine says, "Good eye!"
I'm glad you're going to have warmer weather. It does wonders for the morale doesn't it?
Hi Anna, how adorable. I wish I had more of the Helleborus family, they are all so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSo good that the sun appear to signal the arrival of spring.... ~bangchik
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely Hellebore. I love these plants but don't have any in my garden, I think I will have to remedy that.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, what a gorgeous coloured hellebore! Hellebores grow like weeds in our garden, but they're all of the variety with the pale green flowers ...except for one niger, which I split and transplanted in autumn.
ReplyDeleteDue to a dose of flu I've not been out in the garden for a while, so I don't know how it's doing ...er,....hang on a mo ....ooh,ooh,ooh - I've found 3 nigers, all ladened with buds! I'm sure when I've recovered from my flu-induced-fog-brain I'll remember where I planted the rest!!! :)
Yes, hellebores are really cute and hard to resist. I'm really looking forward to mine blooming this year--am also envious that you can make real buying trips to the nursery already at a time waaaay early in my part of the world!
ReplyDeleteI'm new to hellebores and only know them as white up till now. That's a beauty. I was interested to see your choice of seed potatoes.
ReplyDeletePant, pant, wheez, wheez, must have...that...Hellebore....must find....'Walberton's Rosemary'...
ReplyDeleteI'm coveting that little beauty Anna!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a gorgeous day here today - spring is definitely on the way.
Jeanne x
Oh, she is so pretty! You were very brave to think you could walk out only with potatoes :)
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like those first early visits to the garden centre to start the the 'plant fever' :)
Lucky you, Anna:-) She's absolutely beautiful! I love her shape, texture and her color. You're also lucky because you had sunshine and warm enough weather to be outside! We just got smacked with 2 feet of snow! It's crazy here...but fun! The snowplow hasn't even come by the entire day! Luckily this isn't an event that repeats itself frequently--although this year we've already had 4 snowfalls and this is our 2nd 'historical' one since January!! Climate change has certainly had its effects! Hope you are well!
ReplyDeleteAhhh ... spring is peeping from the corner. It's coming ...
ReplyDeleteVery pretty flower that will bring some colour to the garden!
ReplyDeleteFor me, it’s still too early in year to be working in the garden, lucky you!
She's a real beauty, a lovely clear colour.
ReplyDelete