From Winter to Spring and Back Again (And I'm Not Only Talking About the Crazy Weather)

Hellebore collected from my Uncle Joe's yard in Alabama

These garden toughies may be the salvation of my backyard. Known as hellebores (common names include "Christmas rose" and "Lenten rose"), they are among some of the best performers for that hellhole of a garden spot usually referred to as "dry shade". In addition to coping with little water and little light, they even can deal with icky-sticky heavy clay. Of course they prefer an easier life (who doesn't?), but that still doesn't stop them from blooming from here to almost forever.

However, snails and slugs may chew on them, so get your pitching arm in shape by winging those buggers out of the yard (boy, do I still miss that mockingbird which used to wait for me to show up in the early morning and "deliver" breakfast for the entire family).

With time (I have one which I planted somewhere around 15 or more years ago), the plants can get quite large - two-plus feet around or more.  Depending on the variety, the plant will die back and look a bit ragged in the fall (keep that flinging arm in shape or else), at which point the older leaves may be cut back to make room for new growth.

This year, mine started blooming in late December, are still going strong, and will probably be in bloom until June. With a breather, they will do it all over again with next winter's rains.

Annie's Annuals has a great selection of hellebores in a wide range of colors. Not all are available at any one time, and for sure these babies aren't cheap, but they may be your garden champions for life.