Very nice! So maybe that light foliage is a feature in some peach-line hellebores?

That is what I am thinking.

LorettaNJ said:That is what I am thinking.

Good to know what you two were thinking! I'm getting ready for a late June fast purchase of Hellebore fresh seeds from Barnhaven. Its my first trial from seeds ( or anything). I'm really interested in the dark ones, but also the reds. However peach I wouldn't mind at all... In July my local nursery promised me some Hellebore potted plants...I must admit that I feel a bit 'Hellebore' deprived...with all these beauts posted here...Should I pay a visit to a professional?

Arturo

Saw the earlier discussion about Bluestone, and wanted to drop my 2 cents. I have purchased all my perennials except bulbs (which I bought from Breck's before I knew better, but have had good results with, generally) and Alstromeria (which they don't carry, unsurprisingly given their climate) from them, based on recommendations from many, many neighbors and friends who buy from them. That's 39 plants.

Of those, 3 didn't make it, none of which were really their fault. The first one to die was because of a shipping delay last spring, where my shipment took 7 days to reach me (should be 2-3, has been 2-3 since). I actually think it's a testament to their quality that the other 9 plants in that shipment survived that kind of delay. I could tell it wasn't going to make it right out of the box, but planted it anyway on a wish and a prayer. It took about a week to fully die. They replaced it without question. Then, out of last fall's shipment (15 plants) 2 didn't make it, because less than a week after I planted, we got 5" of rain *in a day.* That flooded the yard and the plants (and my basement, and my neighbors' basements, and half the city...at least I'm on high enough ground that we didn't get the sewage backup like a lot of places). I feel like I'm lucky I only lost 2! They also replaced those without question. All 3 replacements are thriving, as are the 14 new plants I installed this spring (about a month ago now...they're all larger/sending up new growth), including Hellebore.

I haven't had problems with the coconut pots breaking down. Well, as far as I can tell. Even where the plants died, the pots broke down within a season (replanting was always in the next season...so spring plant that died replaced in fall, fall in spring), so that I was only pulling a few intact scraps out (not the whole pot, but maybe 2-3" strips). I haven't dug out the plants that made it, of course (they're all barely a year to brand new), but given their robust growth (you can find pictures of my 7-12 month planted Stoke's Aster and 12-month planted Siberian Iris around the site), I have to assume the pots aren't hurting them.

Just my experience. They're north of me, so that's one thing I was looking for in a nursery. They definitely stand behind their guarantee. And, as noted, neighbors and friends with nice yards rave about them.

I do remember a yellow one bred to have golden leaves but can not remember the name. The Slaty Blue is very nice, also like the peach one, Loretta do you remember the name.

I only ordered from Bluestone once but the small plants were well rooted and took off.
Bob, that hellebore was not labeled but I guessed it to be Apricot Blush. When I first looked it up, there were more examples that looked like mine, with the dark veining. Now I see spots. There was another possibility at the time but I don't remember it right now.

Oh look, I have a garden hybrid seedling!

Very nice!

May 2
'Paris in Pink'

'Wedding Ruffles'

Today
'Anna's Red'

I love your Anna's Red, Charlie! This variety struggled in my garden and finally croaked this year. Not sure what I did wrong with this one. But I love its red color and foliage. May need to try again. What location do you have yours growing in? Do you have it in total shade, partial shade, or sunny area?

I also had problems with that one and Penny's Pink.

Anna's Red is good for me. Very healthy. I grow it in bright shade in sandy soil. I was thinking of getting more for a group planting. I hope it isn't a fluke.

That is a very nice plant.

Karen, bought two Anna's Red, several years ago. The one in the picture has done very well. The other has stayed quite small. The successful Anna's Red, like most of my hellebore cultivars, is exposed to the sun in Spring and Fall, but underneath taller perennials in Summer. The small one is in an overall more shaded position (close to a fence and a small Syrian hibiscus). I'm going to move it forward to get more early/late growing season sunlight. Had one Penny's Pink, planted close to the more successful Anna's Red. It disappeared this year and is one of the very few hellebore cultivars which I've lost over the last five to ten years.

Our soil is very not-sandy; it's clay, but with lots of weed-free organic matter worked in.

I like the Anna's Red too and have just got a third one. I always remember David Tomlinson quoting an old gardener's adage; namely, "If you want to grow a particular perennial and don't know where it should be planted, get three, plant them in three different locations and the plants will tell you where".

I lost most of the Gold Collection types like Pink Frost or similar.

Beautiful plant Loretta!

Thank you! I don't see this one around this year though.

Thank you Lorreta and Charlie for sharing growing tips for Anna's Red. I think the reason mine did not do well was because I had it planted in a very shaded area with a lot of root competition from a nearby tree. I will fine a better more suitable spot and make better soil amendments for it the next time i get it,. I just love its beautiful red color.