Thanks, Lindsey.
My Hellebores started to bloom in early February, before anything else. Not all of them, only certain varieties (can't remember the names, as I never labelled them).
As Kathy said, they do take a few years to produce a nice clump, again depending on the variety.
Tulips, no, I leave them in and most of them will last 2-3 years here in the South. Of course, as you know (from Brent & Beckys'), tulips don't do as well in the South as the marvelous Daffodil. But I have had alot of luck with the species and Kaufmans returning well.
But it is SO easy to grow here in NC, compared to my home state of Mass. The sun is stronger and the growing season so much longer. My Angelica is 2 feet high now, for goodness sake. Lilies are up 18 inches. , etc. (However we will be back in Mass. in awhile, braving those winters).
