Well, I'll be !

Note to myself; 

Experiment.

When cut and placed in water Hellebore flowers will wilt in only a few hours. UNLESS.

you first dip their stems into  Alum powder.

These Helleborus  flowers have already gone to seed.  

They don't need special treatment. 

Helleborus orientalis, commonly called Lenten Rose,  belong to the Ranunculaceae family. 

It only takes one Hellebore blossom and a few galax leaves to make a fine boutonniere. 

Sweet little snowdrops show off Hellebore to advantage. 

Hellebore keep their green leaves throughout our cold winter months.  

The air dried blossoms make an interesting bouquet and will last for months. 

If you live in this harsh climate,  a flower growing through the snow and in February, deserves a space in every garden.  

They add mystery to every Spring flower bouquet. 

And the best news of all.

I have thousands of little Helleborus orientalis seedlings growing in my garden. 

I will share.  

Have a most wonderful week dear friends.   

Spring is just around the corner

Gina 

Note: All flowers from my 2015 garden

Helleborus

A couple of weeks ago I dug through the frozen ground 

to lift a little Hellebore seedling.

 I must admit it didn't look like much.

But here it is. New growth, how wonderful!

In a few weeks it might even bloom.  

It did last year. 

I wonder what color my little pot of Helleborus will be this year?

In Europe one can purchase Hellebore as cut flowers and in little pots.  

I have seen them blooming en masse in the Black Forest at Christmas time.  No wonder they are called Lenten Rose. 

They are such a welcome and pretty sight at Christmas and in January 

Has anyone seen them potted up in this country?  

Have a great Superbowl Sunday my dear friends. 

I hope that YOUR team wins. 

Gina 

How to enjoy Hellebore in the house

The beautiful Hellebore (Lenten Rose) is showing up everywhere.

Their exotic looks make them a favorite.

Once they drop their seeds,  place in a little water and let mature.  They will stay like this for months.

In my garden they bloom at the same time as my daffodils

The flower on the right has formed its seed pod.  Now is the time to cut them and they will last for days in water. 

When they are at this earlier stage,  cut a slit with a sharp knife along the entire stem and place all the way up to their heads in water overnight in a dark and cool place.

Prop their heads up a bit so you can see into their beautiful faces.    Insert a 2 to 3 inch long piece of florist wire into the side of the stem and through the head of the flower, make a little hook at the end and pull back until you can't see the wire.

Have you noticed  how beautiful their leaves are?  I use them throughout the year for many flower arrangements. 

Have a great remainder of the week my dear 

Blogging Friends.

Gina   

Today I'm joining  http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Today I'm also linking to  http://rosorochris.blogspot.com/

I'm also joining http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Today I'm joining http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/