Hellebore heaven
Hellebores (Helleborus), often called Lenten rose or Christmas rose, lend interest and color to the winter and early spring garden, when few other perennials are in bloom. The petal-like sepals provide the color (including shades of purple, pink, creamy white, pale yellow or green) and the nodding, cup shape. They remain attractive on the plant for months. Add to that their tolerance of dry shade and scant moisture (once established), and these perennials are a must for the all-season garden. They have attractive, leathery, usually evergreen leaves with a solid reputation for being unpalatable to deer. Hellebores may re-seed abundantly, which is a bonus since they can be pricey. Though seedlings of hybrids likely won’t resemble the parent plant, they are lovely in their own right. Check out www.hellebores.org for a wealth of information and a photo gallery.