I am interested in starting hellebore seeds. If you have hellebore blooming in your garden now, and are not interested in starting them, please keep me in mind. The seed pods should not be picked until just before they turn tan and crack open, and the seeds should not be allowed to dry out. PLMK if you are interested in trading them to me, and let me know what you are interested in as a trade. Thanks Linda
Hellebore
Linda I was reading a post on BGI and they said it takes up to 8 months to germinate I think and then 2 to 3 years to bloom. You may want to go buy one or try to get one in trade
Donna, I know it takes them 2-3 years to bloom. I started some in June 2002 and more in June 2003. Additionally, I have bought about 12, and have another 10 ordered on the co-op. This shot is at the Botanical Garden at Riverbanks Zoo. I have a large oak tree that I would like to fill the area under it with hostas and hellebore. I've got a good start, but want hundreds.
This is one I bought recently. It has a seed pod that I plan to let mature.
This is another I bought. Look at all the babies in the pot.
Linda--those are gorgeous. You certainly have a way with them. Do you have them under grow lights? How old is the white one in the last picture? That's got a pretty good sized stem on it. Brenda
The last one is one that I just purchased. I would guess it is 3 or 4 years old. This is the inside. Paid $25 for 1 plant, something that I don't do often, but it was loaded with babies.
Here are the babies.
all potted up
I'd say for that price, you got a great deal with a big plant and all those babies. Wow!! Bet it will look awesome under that tree in a year or two.
Linda do you put them under grow lights? I got 3 in the Sunshine Farm coop last fall and they are doing ok, but I haven't had them under lights because I thought they don't like direct light. I really want to give these a good start. Thx, Brenda
O noooo I think I am going to have to move mine!! :( I hope that don't slow the blooming time any? Ya think?
I have them where they pretty much get all day sun until late in the p/m when the house shades them.
Any advice?? Should they stay there or should I move them?
My oldest one is about 2 yrs old, and the stem is pretty tall. Not sure how big around it is though.
Gosh I have wanted these for such a long time....and now I'm gonna wind up killing them in the hot sun! :(
Linda--don't mean to hijack your post.
Molly - this is what waterpondfarm posted about hellebore care from the Sunshine Farm info she got last fall.
http://www.waterpondfarm.com/sunfarm/hellebores.html
Maybe they are fine is direct sun if you've been giving it to them for 2 years now!
Thanks Brenda, that's good information, I may not be feeding mine correctly. I first became interested in hellebore because they will grow and bloom in shade, and I have LOTS of shade. Mine is getting winter sun (because there are no leaves on the trees) but will be in 75% to full shade by mid summer. My seedlings go under lights, as soon as the weather permits, they will go outside in a protected area. When they get 2-3 sets of true leaves, I will move them up to 4"pots. If they are not in the ground by next winter, I will move them to the gh.
Mollybee, I missed the hellebore co-op last fall, don't know how I didn't see it until too late. I am in the co-op that has just ended and have some coming from Barry. I'm so excited to get some new varieties (Sun Marble, Frenchy and Sopron). If you decide to move yours to more shade, dig as large a clump as you can, try not to disturb the roots and then water well in the new location. Have you checked-out Barry's website?
Linda, I don't know if you watch the perennials forum; but, someone there is looking into starting a Hellebore and Peony seed co-op.
http://davesgarden.com/t/422876/
Hi lhughes,
I have a lot of Helleborous blooming in my yard. They are getting seed pods . I'll be happy to collect these seeds for you when the right time comes.
The photo is one of H.orientalis .
tomtom
Sooooo... the seeds I got recently from another DG'er are not viable? Or they will take 8 mos to germinate...
Barb
When mine bloom,the seeds usually end up scattered all over
They don't germinate right away
The next spring I have seedlings EVERYWHERE
So if you have seeds I would just leave them outside where you want them to grow,next spring the seedlings should come up
Someone a few years ago sent me the seeds still attached to the plants
I just threw them in the garden and poof,the next year I had seedlings
I have no clue what kind or color but they are 3 this year
BassetMom,
Hellebore seeds usually require a pretty long cold treatment before they germinate.
Probably in your zone you could sow them in 4" pots and leave them outdoors in a sheltered area over the winter. They probably won't come up until next spring.
I have some commercial seed packs of Hellebores and the procedure they recommend is as follows:
Sow as normal and keep at 72 degrees for 6 weeks.
Transfer to 32 degrees for 6 to 8 weeks.
Raise to 50 degrees for 4/5 weeks.
Great info! Thanks so much!
Barb
This is a photo of one of mine that was published in the Holden Arboretum last winter. I'll have plenty of seed if you are still interested.
Haighr,
That hellebore sure is a pretty deep red color.
Would you be trading with other people like me?
Please let me know. I would love to try to grow such a pretty one.
Thanks, Carol
Haighr, I would LOVE some seeds. I am taking up all the "grass" (read weeds) under my trees and putting a more woodland setting in with shade plants, coleus, etc. and a path running down the middle. I am hoping to have lots of hellebore in there next year.
Barb
Haighr, that is a beauty. It looks so pretty in the ice. Yes, I would love some of the extra seeds.
My seeds are now in the cooling period... thank goodness for that extra little fridge. It was supposed to be for the kids' drinks, etc. over the summer. Now, its for seeds...
Barb
Hi Linda,
I saw your plea for Helebore seeds...I have a bunch of plants that have flowered their hearts out all winter and spring and are finally just starting to set seed. I would be more than happy to send you all the seems from each of the plants (and I'll keep them seperate for you with their appropriate names). They are great plants! I'm happy to give them to you as I would just let them set seed where they were or would have removed the seedheads - although I do try to let most of my plants seed even if I don't want to collect the seeds because because the birds and other wildlife tend to like them.
So if you'd like to have my Helebore seeds as well, please just send me an email with your address and I'll pop it in the post to you. Hope that this is of help...and I love your planting idea, I think it's going to be absolutely STUNNING!! Take care and happy gardening!
Warmest Wishes
Shelley
Shelly, that would be great. I always name my plants after their origin, so these would carry your name. I'll send my address to your PM, and I'll reimburse your postage costs. Thank you so much.
Keep bumping this post and I will be happy to send seed. Mine are still in bloom and haven't gone to seed yet, need a reminder!