Few things regarding Hellebores

I pulled on my chicken boots, picked up scissors, and slid open the kitchen door. Several steps away I snipped three blooming daffodils.

I walked down the backyard steps and clipped three stems from my one and only dogwood bush.

Inside the kitchen, I arranged the three yellow-faced and white-petaled daffies and dogwood clippings in my three little “Love You Mom” vases.

This annual springtime tribute to my daughters greets me whenever I enter my kitchen.

Again, I honor the plant kingdom God created, the uniqueness of each plant.

For instance, consider the dark and dramatic Hellebores I just picked from my backyard garden, and another from the perennial island within my circle driveway.

These two Hellebores plants are the sole survivors of ten various Hellebores hybrids and colors I’ve invested my income, time, and muscle to the past several decades.

Regrettably, I’ve yet to connect weather with other environmental conditions that determine the health and death of a Hellebores.

I have a hunch this gardener is to blame for Hellebores’ disappearance.

For instance, known as Lenten Rose, why on Earth would a horticulturalist name a plant Hellebores when “Lenten” relates to Lent, the forty days of fasting, prayer, and reflection observed by Christians in anticipation of Easter?

Well, turns out the word Hellebores does not refer to Hades, rather derives from the Greek “helios”, meaning “sun”. And “bora” translates “food” or “sustenance”.

However, as humans, don’t take the last two translations seriously. Every part of the Hellebores is toxic.

That means do not use the beautiful blooms-pinks, whites, dark purples with luscious yellow stamens – no matter how tempting, to garnish your cakes and cupcakes.

Once upon a springtime, these several varieties, including double blooms of the Dark and Handsome variety, flourished in my gardens.

Nada mass.

In years past, I’ve seen Hellebores blooms in the snow. That’s after a bit of a warm spell.

That’s one reason why I prefer to plant the darker blooming varieties to the lighter blooms.

You can’t miss the purple blooms on top of the snow.

Well, dear Reader, all this talk of Dark and Handsome as the sole survivor of his race in my gardens provokes my trowel to righteous indignation.

I’ve a list of Hellebores to write, and a drive to my local garden center to achieve.

Oh, this glorious gardening season! So much to dig. So little time.

By the way, no signs of seedlings yet in the trays of my Blackberry Lily seeds.

Will keep you posted.

Contact Iris at irisfarmletters@gmail.com