Thriving: Helleborus in a pot.
Photo by
Romeo Ninov
Larry Smith and the Riverside Gardens team talk all things pots, plants and pruning in their new weekly gardening column.
Having a few sunny days in recent weeks has been great, right on cue for spring. What a great time of the year; the blossom is out, the garden is bouncing back into life, there is warmth in the sun, and the air smells fresh and clean. All are encouraging you to get out and enjoy your garden.
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The first of our spring-summer seedlings have arrived, including tomatoes, basil, petunias, marigolds, dahlias and heaps of other fresh spring stock. But the standout plant in high demand has been the collection of beautiful helleborus, which has been in stock for the past month or so. This is probably due to the amazing display they have been putting on in the gardens around the valley over the past few weeks.
Blooming: Hybrid of lenten rose.
Photo by
Michel VIARD
Helleborus or winter rose, as they are commonly called, are relatively easy to grow if given the right conditions and show great reward for the space taken. They provide year-round interest in the garden with glossy divided leaves looking lush and almost tropical through the summer months and then flush over in masses of colourful cupped flowers in late winter. Helleborus require a semi-shaded to shaded position in reasonably draining loamy soil. They are ideally suited to growing under deciduous trees or light canopy evergreen trees. Their flowers can be picked as cut flowers and hold up well inside or just left to add colour to that shady spot in the garden. Helleborus require little maintenance, just a cut back of old, tired-looking foliage in late winter or early spring as the new growth starts. A light feed in late September and regular watering during summer will keep your plants looking good.
Some of the varieties in stock are from the Winter Elegance series, including dusk, double pink, lemon zest, winter white, double white, envy, peach Melba, double Burgundy, sparkling shiraz, shell pink and berry splash. There are also larger hybrids such as Tutu, Molly’s White and Cinnamon Snow. All of these are looking great and will grow well in our area.
So, get out and enjoy the spring weather and see if you can find a spot for winter roses in your garden.
Happy gardening, and we hope to see you in the garden centre soon.
