Everything's Coming Up (Lenten) Roses; Bark and Garden Part Three

Before you read any further, be warned that there will be graphic and close up images of the reproductive organs of plants. There will be pollen laden anthers, naked stigma, and racy petals. If this sort of thing offends you, perhaps you should be out picketing in front of a florist shop and not reading the following post.

I went to Bark and Garden to check it out, not to buy plants and certainly not any more helebores. 

But the sun shone on and through them making them glow with magical colors.

Although I kept saying no, no, they kept nodding their heads yes, yes.

 

Some were demure and flirty.

While others brazenly lifted their skirts as if to say "hello sailor."

 

This dreamy creamy yellow with burgundy edges called 'Apricot Blush'  is striking!

The next two pictures are of the same flower.  First with the sun shining through the petals.

And now with a flash added.  Pretty cool flower, right?

 

 

Does this remind you of anything?

 

 

No, It couldn't be.

No resemblance at all.

 

Ahem, no, nothing at all scary at this little shop of ...hellebores.

 

 I'm fond of the nearly black flowers of this variety.

I remember fondly quite a few years ago when Dan Hinkley showed up at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show with a whole slew of his newly created double hellebores.  They were the hit of the flower show, the "it" plant that everyone wanted and many people were carrying them out of the convention center.  At $50.00 a gallon, they were a little too pricey for my wallet back then.   The "Heronswood Doubles" are still around, have come considerably down in price  and I run into them at nurseries every now and then.  While these aren't the Heronswood doubles, whenever I see  any double hellebores, I think of that time and smile. 

Here is Onyx Odessy in the sun.  It's pretty spectacular and very dark! 

Onyx Odessy again.

 

As Ciscoe would say Oh la la!  One of these came home with me!

'Cotton Candy'  is amazing with that sweet blush of pink.  It also found herself in my cart.

 There were so many fabulous plants at B&G that I could have easily filled the car but I kept reminding myself that I didn't need a single plant.  I came away with four hellebores, an agave stricta, and another Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow.'

 

So, if you hear of a flesh eating plant growing in Tacoma, you'll know from whence it came.  And remember,  whatever they offer you, don't feed the plants!