One plant that has been quite an unsung favourite in our garden for its fairly unfussy yet interesting ground cover has been the Foetid Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus), we initially planted one on the edge of a gravel pathway in the middle of the garden many years ago, and have been rewarded with a constant supply of young plants growing in the gravel every year.
We have transplanted these with mixed successes, finding it prefers a brighter spot than we often give the young plants. But in the brighter locations it thrives.
One such place is the raised bed by the koi pond filters, where conditions have been a little harsh, a neighbouring conifer in next doors garden provides a rain shelter keeping it much dryer than we had anticipated, most of the woodland plants we had previously tried had failed, however Helleborus foetidus has been a success, filling the edge of the bed and giving the lush feel we were after.
The lime green flowers might not be to everyones taste, and as the name suggests, they are rather pungent when disturbed.
Gaz
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
I adore green flowers. I just planted 3 new hellebores in a very shady location and your comment about yours preferring brighter conditions has renewed my concern that the spot I chose may be took dark but we shall see.
ReplyDeleteWith your warmer temps they may do just fine in your shady spots, fingers crossed!
DeleteNot boring at all and I love a play on words!
ReplyDeleteI had this in a previous garden and can't for the life of me understand why I haven't planted it here. Strangely I could never pick up the smell. And the leaves make a lovely contrast to the flowers.
Well worth planting one out this year, and once you get them to bloom they'll self seed nicely :) it'll look great in your garden!
DeleteYou have to crush the leaves to get the smell.
DeleteA beautiful plant. I love the foliage as well as the flowers. How you have it with the leaves hanging over the wall is great. The flowers look like hands reaching over the wall.
ReplyDeleteMy H. argutifolius was quite stinky when it flowered, but not nearly so attractive.
Hellebores are still underrated for their foliage, and they have so many varieties too
DeleteI have one with loveky red stems called 'Wester Flisk'.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a fab group of hellebores :)
DeleteI've been pondering planting some of those... but having read your post I'm now having a rethink as they were going to go in a shady spot. Interesting they like your gravel though...
ReplyDeleteThey are probably ok with light shade, we have tried them in heavy shade without success. I haven't noticed any geminate on the beds, just the gravel pathway in front of them.
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