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February, gardens open for charity, Hellebores, helleborus niger, Helleborus orientalis 'Harvington Hybrids', Helleborus viridis, in a vase on Monday, NGS
This morning is of course Monday, that much you know and it is bitterly cold again which you may not know if you are elsewhere in the world ( hello Brother Dorris) but it is thankfully bright. As it is Monday I am going to join Cathy with a bowl rather than a vase full of hellebores.
Hellebores never last very long if cut and brought into the house, yet floating the heads on shallow water seems to suit them better. Certainly we can observe the beauty of each flower much more easily like this rather than having to tip their shy heads towards us.
I should love to be able to tell you which varieties are here but they are not mine. Hold up, not mine ? You see I visited a delightful garden on Saturday, open for the National Garden Scheme. NGS.
Old Church Cottage is in a very pretty and historic spot, brimming with snowdrops and crocus, cyclamen and hellebores. More about that another time. On the table, welcoming visitors, was this bowl of blooms. Can I pinch that? Well I just did.
Have a great day and stay warm. D.
digwithdorris.com 
What a beautiful collection, I understand the fascination with collecting many different Hellebores (much more than I understand the obsession with snowdrops.
I know what you mean about snowdrops Christina – they all look much the same from a distance don’t they, and I have never had a named variety, but I find myself feeling ver excited about having one of Cathy’s – just hope I can look after it properly! Yikes!
Funny you should say that, me too yet this garden I visited had lots of snowdrop varieties and for the first time I could see the differences albeit subtle! I also met an old boy who holds the national collection. He got chatting and fuelled my interest and admiration for his commitment. I won’t be starting a collection but I think I do appreciate them more than I did.
I don’t dislike them, it’s just that a huge drift of the ‘common ones’ look more beautiful than just one or two specials.
Yeah I’m with you on that!
What a great way to display hellebores – SO pretty!
So easy too.
Yes indeed.
Oh your hellebores are just gorgeous! I cannot get enough of these and will be very sorry when hellebore season is over (although hopefully compensated for by warmer weather).
Beautiful. Floating is a nice way to display hellebores because it affords one a good look at the details. (You’d asked about how long mine last in a vase last week. Happy to report one of them lasted five days. I had seared the cut end of all stems, but in arranging ended up shortening most of them again. I’m assuming the lone survivor was one that was seared and left untouched.)
Lovely hellebores, of course, and i am glad you enjoyed your NGS visit – certainly look forward to seeing more photos when your time permits. It must have been fascinating to talk to the ‘old boy’ with the national collection of snowdrops
Thanks Cathy. He has given me his address do I can visit. He lifts divides and feeds about 500 of his 1700 snowdrops each year. That is dedication
Wow, that is dedication – well, perhaps obsession really. I can see that essentially it is just a methodical seasonal task, really, just like anyy other, but on a bigger scale. How kind of him to invite you to visit
I think it is obsession. He was very happy to talk about his collection so maybe I shall take a friend and visit. Are you up for a visit to Leighton buzzard?
What a lovely thought, Dorris. I have checked distances and it is probably too much for a round trip – a shame, as it would have been a real treat. Thanks for thinking of me and make sure you go yourself – I am sure there will be another friend who would love the chance to join you
Completely understand Cathy. I shall give the old boy a call and once the snow goes. Will report back.
Look forward to hearing about your visit and sorry I won’t be with you 😐
My favorite way to display hellebore blooms!
Hello Peter thanks for commenting and yes I think it is perhaps the best way.
Oh I do miss mine…all left behind. When I plant out my shade garden..first I will need to made the shade then the white one with pink freckles will be top of my list. Your hellebore have been captured but not stolen…shared and admired. Many thanks.
Ah thanks Noelle. I have a friend who is in the same boat: emigrated to Canada left all her beloved hellebores behind. Starting her garden from nothing. Planning and plotting 👍
Fabulous floating flowers! I should be able to pick mine in about 6 weeks.
By which time these will be long gone. Definitely worth waiting for Donna
I love seeing hellebores floated – you can admire all the different shades and markings so much better. I just saw the bowlful of floating Hepaticas on Karen’s post (bramblegarden.com) too and fell in love with them! 🙂
Floating hellebore flowers in a shallow bowl seems one of the best ways to show off their pretty faces. I’d be happy to try that, if mine ever choose to bloom.
They will, eventually. I have a couple of tiny plants that are on year 2 with no flowers, next year! Thanks Kris
That is what we used to do with camellias.
Ah I should think that works really well too.