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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.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

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!









 
 

22 comments:

  1. Beautiful shots and beautiful blooms!!!!!

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  2. So glad you told us what you bought...you know I was wondering!

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    1. Except that I forgot to write "grr Loree" after Agave strcta!

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  3. So many awesome hellebores! I'd totally lose my control in a nursery like that! I'd need a truck! ;O)

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  4. We've just been hellebore spotting today (as well as other plants!) at a plant show and your photos just reminded us of our time there again :)

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  5. Great post. I'm terribly fond of that first speckled one but, I keep reminding myself that I have no room in my garden for more plants.

    I find it kind of humorous how people were grabbing Dan's hellebores at $50.00 a gallon. What a brilliant marketing scheme. He knew he'd have a bevy of weak-kneed partakers. It's almost criminal. :)

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    1. Oh, there's always room for more!
      There always seems to be some new plant at the show that everyone has to have; one year it was black pussy willows, last year, a yellowish twigged coral bark maple was the belle of the ball. Great place to introduce something new provided you have sufficient stock.

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  6. Oh, la, la! You came home with some beauties! I'm not sure how you only got four hellebores, but since you didn't really need any, I guess that's acceptable! ;)

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    1. I wish they liked being in pots more because I'd love to elevate those cuties that face the ground so that their faces could be seen better. A raised bed might be just the thing! I'm thinking of going back for an Onyx Odessey and maybe one of those creamy yellow ones.

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  7. Love the speckled ones. And the ones with a picotee edge. And the frilly doubles. And the almost black ones. Oh heck, I love them all. Great pictures, I love how different that one looks with and without the flash. I've always thought Hellebores coming up looked like Audrey II also!

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    1. They're all gorgeous and so undemanding, especially compared to AudreyII! I think we should both get an Onyx Odessy!

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  8. "Graphic and close up images of reproductive organs" drew me in, but those lovely hellebores made me linger.

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    1. Iknew that would appeal to someone! They are so gorgeous this time of the year, the bracts linger for a long time, and the evergreen foliage is lovely year round!

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  9. Those hellebores are stunning, I'll have to enjoy them from afar as they don't do well here.

    Agave stricta should do well as it is quite hardy, it's a passalong plant in San Antonio.

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    1. I won't give up on agaves and will try to provide them with th drainage that they need. Or maybe I'll just keep growing them in pots & haul them up on the back porch for the rainy season.

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  10. Beautiful hellebores. Good job buying only four! Oh, and thanks for the Family Guy video.

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    1. They are gorgeous! I may have to revisit this nursery fairly soon... You are more than welcome! Bird bird bird, bird is the word!

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  11. Did you seriously think you could go to a nursery and not come away with some plants!!! I went to a hellebore talk recently and came home with 3 hellebores plus a witch hazel.
    Great photos

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  12. I've never been much of a fan, but after this sales pitch I'm ready to go right out and BUY HELLEBORES. Thanks a lot (dripping with sarcasm, in case you missed it).

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