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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Monday, March 2, 2015

A Saturday in Portland Part One: Hellebores!

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of visiting one of my favorite garden cities, Portland, Oregon, attending their Yard, Garden, and Patio Show with pal Alison, and visiting several great nurseries. At the Y,G, & P show, there was a large display of winter flowering plants assembled by the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon.  There were lots of great blooms on display but my favorite was this bowl of floating hellebore blossoms.   



A great way to display these flowers whose faces usually bow demurely toward the ground.  

No wonder that it's often done to show the huge variety of heavenly hellebores.


Don't want to pick that many blooms?  A smaller bowl is also very effective. 


I didn't intend to buy any more hellebores on this trip but this display convinced me that my garden needed more yellows to balance the others.

Do you have a favorite hellebore or do you love them all?  Does anyone not like them?  What could be better?  Shade tolerant, nice evergreen foliage that fills in nicely around herbaceous plants that offer them shade in the summer and die back beneath the foliage in the winter, and stunning winter blooms that dance in the wind.
Much more to come from a thoroughly enjoyable day of plant shopping. 
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33 comments:

  1. RoseMarch 2, 2015 at 6:09 AM

    What a beautiful display! I never pick the blooms of my hellebores because they're usually the only bloom in my garden at the time and I prefer to enjoy them there. But these photos are making me think I need to plant more:)

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    1. outlawgardenerMarch 2, 2015 at 12:36 PM

      You can never have too many, right? I hardly pick any flowers from my garden mostly because they last longer outside and I have to clean them up inside.

      Delete
  2. Mark and GazMarch 2, 2015 at 6:24 AM

    That's probably the best way to display them considering that almost all of them has blooms that face down :)

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  3. ShirleyMarch 2, 2015 at 6:50 AM

    The colors work together beautifully in the bowl arrangement. Hellebores don't grow well in San Antonio so I will admire them in photos. Look forward to seeing more photos from the show.

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    1. outlawgardenerMarch 2, 2015 at 12:38 PM

      Hellebores love our soggy winters and cool summers. One of the perks of living here where our toes have grown webs. More to come from the show.

      Delete
  4. AlanMarch 2, 2015 at 7:19 AM

    So nice! Makes me wish I actually grew some of these... which cultivar produces one of each color of these blooms? ;)

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    1. outlawgardenerMarch 2, 2015 at 12:39 PM

      It's a special grafted variety like those five in one apple trees. Ask for it at your local nursery, they need to be amused.

      Delete
  5. chavlinessMarch 2, 2015 at 7:54 AM

    So many varieties! Who knew? what a fine display. I'm not sure I've seen the yellow flowered hellebore anywhere but I'll keep an eye out for them. I have recently added Hellebore who's pink flowers are looking straight at you rather then downward.

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    1. outlawgardenerMarch 2, 2015 at 12:40 PM

      There are some that look up which is a nice change. I found a couple of different yellows at Xera plants later in the day.

      Delete
  6. AlisonMarch 2, 2015 at 8:10 AM

    That was a beautiful display! I wish now that I had actually stood there and looked them over. But I can do that now too, by peering at my computer screen with your great photos. The yellows in those two bowls o' blooms are so bright, it makes me think I need more yellow Hellebores too.

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  7. danger gardenMarch 2, 2015 at 8:23 AM

    So how many did you buy?

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    1. outlawgardenerMarch 2, 2015 at 12:42 PM

      Actually found a few in four inch pots at Xera later in t the day and was pleased as punch with their cool varieties and low prices.

      Delete
  8. Lisa C. D.March 2, 2015 at 9:03 AM

    They are beautiful :)

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  9. Rock rose March 2, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    Oh my! I can hardly take in the thought of picking all those flowers. I have one hellebore which has not flowered since its first year. If it ever does there is no way I will able to pick it.

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    1. outlawgardenerMarch 2, 2015 at 12:44 PM

      It may have been a group effort. On the other hand, if one has lots of mature hellebores, they produce a lot of flowers so just taking one or two blooms from each of the many plants wouldn't even be noticeable. They grow well here.

      Delete
  10. Kris PetersonMarch 2, 2015 at 11:13 AM

    In addition to being a beautiful display, it's a great way to see the differences between the flowers. I only have 2 hellebores at present but I have others scheduled for mail delivery later this month, including the very beautiful 'Amber Gem.' My others took their time (years) to flower here, though, so I'll probably have to be patient.

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    1. outlawgardenerMarch 2, 2015 at 12:46 PM

      Wow, I hope you do a post of your hellebore delivery! Glad they're doing well for you!

      Delete
  11. ksMarch 2, 2015 at 6:05 PM

    ok , I really need more Hellebores, those yellow numbers are killer !

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  12. Rainy Day GardenerMarch 2, 2015 at 6:55 PM

    oooooo.....love love love hellebores! I like the blossoms in the bowl because...then I can see what more I need. 2 of my new acquisitions this year were yellow. How can you not love yellow blossoms in winter?!!

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    1. outlawgardenerMarch 3, 2015 at 3:49 PM

      Impossible to not love yellow in winter! I got some yellows in 4" pots at Xera. They'll take a year or two to bloom but the price was sure nice!

      Delete
  13. Linda ReederMarch 2, 2015 at 8:20 PM

    I love the color range in that display of hellebore flowers.

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  14. PaulineMarch 2, 2015 at 11:20 PM

    One year I did pick just one flower from each plant to float in a bowl, they look so gorgeous like that. I'm using a photo of them as my header at the moment. Love Hellebores, I don't think anyone can have too many!

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    1. outlawgardenerMarch 3, 2015 at 3:51 PM

      Some year I might do the same as the look is lovely.

      Delete
  15. chlorisMarch 3, 2015 at 6:59 AM

    Oh what gorgeous hellebores, I am drooling over those pictures. It is a wonderful way to display them. You can never have enough as they are all so different.

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    1. outlawgardenerMarch 3, 2015 at 3:52 PM

      Thank you for those truly wise words, "You can never have enough." What a great excuse to go plant shopping!

      Delete
  16. rickiiMarch 3, 2015 at 11:16 AM

    I always thought I would plant Hellebores if I had a tall wall where I could look up at them. Maybe my thinking has been all wrong.

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    1. outlawgardenerMarch 3, 2015 at 3:53 PM

      I've never tried them in pots but they would look great in pots atop columns.

      Delete
  17. LesMarch 7, 2015 at 7:44 AM

    Looks delicious! Do you have an extra spoon?

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.

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