“A pretty girl is like a melody
That haunts you night and day
Just like the strain
Of a haunting refrain
She'll start upon
A marathon
And run around your brain”
~ Irving Berlin
LENTEN ROSE
(Helleborus Orientalis)
Helleborus Orientalis is the botanical name of the very popular, early blooming shade perennial more commonly known as the Lenten Rose. Lenten Roses grow hardy around the world in temperate zones 4-7. In the English speaking world they are known as the Lenten Rose but are not roses at all. They are actually of the Butter Cup family. Their flowers bloom during the Easter celebration of Lent, leading the vernal procession of color in the shady areas of thoughtful perennial gardens. When they are not in bloom they remain as lush ground cover throughout the year; and they are deer proof. This lush, hardy shade perennial is grown and prized by master gardeners throughout the world.
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23 comments:
What a pretty collage, and I like that verse too!
Lovely Joey--and they bloomed for us in January.
These beautiful flowers started blooming here a couple of days before Lent - right on time!
The soft colours and lovely bokeh make for wonderful shots.
Dear Joey, As I have often remarked, if I could only have one spring flower in my garden, then it would, without doubt, have to be one of the Hellebores. Sadly, now, as the year progresses they are going over but let us hope, like the melody, they will remain in the mind until their turn comes round once again.
Hi Joey! Very cool..I didnt know they were from the buttercup family..yay! Beautiful photos..just gorgeous as always! Hope you have a lovely day!
Kiki~
You've captured the dainty beauty of these pretty ladies so well, Joey! Mine must have thought Easter was later on the calendar this year, because they're still in the budding stage:)
Very special spring flowers...love this prose.
Very lovely, Joey! I need to stop by my local garden center and pick out a couple.
Marnie
I did go to the garden center yesterday. I had a gift certificate and I wanted to buy some perennials. The Hellebores were gorgeous but very expensive. I never see them at Home Depot, so I think I cam going to have to pop for a couple at a time.
Eileen
Joey, you know I love hellebores. They light up my Lenten garden with their sweet faces. Glad yours are blooming too. I heard something I didn't know the other day. The blossoms turn green after they are fertilized. Have you heard that?~~Dee
Thanks Garden Lily ~ it's hard to say goodbye to these beauties.
You lucky, lucky girl, Anna. Nothing could push through the frozen tundra here in January!
They are beauties, aren't they, Kala! My daffs are popping here too and if it wasn't pouring rain, I'd be outside shooting!
Thank you Rick ... these were shot inside for colorful muted background :)
Exactly, Edith, and why I posted another shot of these beauties. So hard to say goodbye plus, still available in local nurseries, hope others will include them in their spring gardens.
Thanks, dear Kiki, glad you enjoyed. Heavy rain today, which is OK for me and the garden :)
Quite OK, Rose, since this means you will be enjoying them longer. Thanks and also for the timely piece posted on your site.
Thanks Rosey ... they seemed to fit except now I can't get the crazy song out of my head!
Hi Marnie. I hope you do. They are still in all of our local nurseries ... trust me, you won't be disappointed!
Agree, they are pricey, Eileen, but so worth the investment. The gardening community seems to be Helleborus 'crazed' ... they are everywhere in the local nurseries. Last November, our garden club guest speaker highlighted them in stunning holiday arrangements.
They are indeed sweet faces, Dee, and I did not know that blossoms turn green after fertilized. Hum ... you are a wise woman! Do hope your garden 'springs back' after the hail storm.
Joey, you capture wonderful photos and put them together to make a super show.
Hi Joey, Aren't these flowers so pretty? I've got to run out to take a few more photos, myself! It rained last night and sprinkled off and on all day today. (I raked quite a bit in-between.)
PS Have you found your bloodroot, yet? I commented back to you the other day that if I had a larger colony, I'd send some to you. However, if you actually came all the way down here to sneak away with mine, I'd just gladly give you a couple! :-)
You are very kind, imac, and why I so love your visits :)
Boo hoo, no bloodroot yet, Shady, but the rest of my flowers/wildflowers are popping big time! Last year Mr. Ho-Hum's back was so bad we had to have help edging ... I know I lost several treasures in the process. Now, if the rain would only stop I might find them. You are a dear ... I would never sneak anything from your garden but it would be a gift to someday visit it beside you.
These blooms are so delicate and sweet looking-almost shy and certainly demure. Maybe that's why we love them so.
I can't imagine gardening without them...That they grow in my clay soil is a gift I appreciate daily! Your photos show how water colored their looks can be! gail
The hellebores are such hard working stalwarts of the late winter into spring garden, their ease and toughness make them must haves. I love the lyrics, what a genius he was! :-)
Frances
And indeed we do, Beckie, and extremely hardy, hardly the shy and demure face they portray.
It's the color I love, Gail. Delighted they are so happy in your garden. (But then who wouldn't be!)
Totally agree, Frances, and why I featured them twice, tweaking others to join in on the love affair! Berlin was indeed a genius but let's hope this song doesn't stick in your head all day :)
Beautiful. I must add some of these to my garden...anything that blooms early is a treat!
And why is it that I'm w/o a Lenten Rose? I will not go another year without one. It's on my list.
donna
I hope you do, Connie, 'cause they are a early treat. Enjoy the gift of spring!
Good for you, Donna! I'll look forward to seeing your photos next spring!
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