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By Pat Cook, Master Gardener, SCMG
Hellebores – Do you have hellebores in your spring garden?
Early spring is when hellebores take center stage in Ontario gardens. Even when flattened by the harsh temperatures of winter, they revive with the first warm rays of the sun. Hailing from the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family, hellebores resemble a cross between buttercups and roses. They produce cup-shaped blooms, 2-3” in diameter. Their blooms continue for weeks, sometimes months.
Hellebores are available in a variety of colours – ranging from bold, mystical deep purple to more subtle tints of white, pink, red, yellow and green. They are hardy, low-maintenance plants to enjoy in multiple seasons. Plant them where you are able to enjoy them – near windows, patios or walkways.
They are one of the best perennials for shade, tolerant of most light and soil conditions, low-maintenance, long-lived, long-blooming, and are virtually disease-free and deer proof. What more could you ask for in your garden?
Most hellebores reproduce with enthusiasm by self-seeding and before long you will have a nice collection of hellebores in your garden. Why not give them a try?
NOTE: While Hellebores are a stunning addition to your spring garden, wear gloves when planting and tending to them. They are toxic!