Helleborus orientalis is a very variable species that will self-seed readily and will

produce a wide range of flower colours and shapes in its offspring, it also hybridises freely and the resulting Helleborus x hybridus are equally variable. You will often see different variants and hybrids offered for sale as unnamed varieties and this is because they are grown from seed and each individual can be distinct from others within a batch of seedling plants, there are far too many attractive variations to name them all. If a particularly attractive seedling is to be named and sold as a cultivar it must be cloned (vegetative propagation such as cuttings and division). This is a lengthy process because it takes several years for a clump to reach a large enough size for dividing and Hellebores dislike disturbance. They do not produce stems with nodes so cuttings are not possible.
Named cultivars are often expensive because of this process but the desire for double flowers, dark purple to black and upward pointing flowers is such that plants that display some or all of these characteristics are sought after and therefore worthy of the process.
Helleborus are typically under story plants and are at their best when planted in natural drifts under trees and shrubs to give an early display of ground cover, they complement early spring bulbs and other winter interest herbaceous perennials such as Arum italicum ‘Marmoratum’ and thrive in humus rich, neutral to alkaline soils in shade or semi shade. They do best in a moisture retentive soil but can cope with dryer soils as long as they are not in full sun.
The leaves are evergreen but leaves from the previous season should be cut off at ground level in mid-winter just before the flower buds start to develop. You will then benefit from a stunning display of flowers that are not hidden by the tatty older leaves, new leaves will start to grow as the flowers fade. Division can take place every 5-8 years in autumn but don’t be afraid to let them self-seed or save some of the developing seeds and cultivate them, sow in autumn but don’t treat them too kindly, they need exposure to cold over the winter in order to break the dormancy and they will then readily germinate in spring.

Hellebores do not make great cut flowers because the stems soon flop and the real beauty of the flowers is mainly hidden on the inside but you can snip off just the flowers and create a stunning floating display as a table centre piece which lasts longer than the cut stems.

Here at Le Jardin Creatif we have been busy setting up our sister enterprise ‘La Petit Pépinière de la Guinandie. The high rainfall in January has slowed down our progress on getting all of our polytunnels and structures up but we have managed to make a start.

Watch this space for more details about when we will be fully opening the nursery but in the meantime we have lots of potted bulbs ready for sale. Now is the time for planting out bulbs ‘in the green’ for naturalising and for spring displays in pots and borders. If you missed your opportunity to plant bulbs in the autumn we have a wide range for sale. We will be open Saturday morning 10th February 10.00-2.00 or by appointment if you want to drop by on a different day or time.

Our availability list can be downloaded here: Bulb availability list

Please get in touch if you want to visit by appointment using our contact form

You can find out more about us on our website and we can be found on google maps

Watch this space for more news and plant availability

Along with the snowdrops there are many trees that wake up early and give us a display of flowers that promise the start of spring. Some of them like the beautiful witch hazel Hamamelis ‘Diane’ are highly scented and  fill he air with spicy perfumes to attract any pollinating insects that might also have woken from hibernation early to make the most of a little winter sunshine. These winter flowering plants provide vital pollen and nectar for the overwintering insects that will be getting low on energy by now.

Another shrub with a powerful fragrance is the winter honeysuckle Lonicera x fragrantissima one of the shrubby honeysuckles that bears pairs of fragrant flowers all along its arching stems from January through till April will be covered in bees on a sunny winters day. Spot the pollen sacks on the bee in the photograph taken 24/01/18

Not all trees and shrubs are insect pollinated. Some are wind pollinated and produce separate male and female floral structures. The male flowers are usually catkins, releasing pollen when they mature. At the moment the hazel trees are in full flower, their make catkins having elongated over the last week or so waving away in the hedgerows distributing their pollen in the wind. Harder to spot are the female flowers that look like miniature sea anemones emerging from small plump buds along the stems. Hazel trees need a period of mildly windy weather without too much rain for the pollen to spread effectively and be caught up on the sticky female floral parts. Unfortunately high winds and heavy rain at this time of the year can lead to a bad crop of  nuts.

With the weather picking up this weekend in the Limousin why not take the opportunity to go outside and see what nature you can spot in your garden and hedgerows.

Have you ever wanted to try the skill of grafting? This specialist propagation technique takes a little patience and practice but can be mastered by beginners with a little guidance. We are offering this half day course on either Thursday 1st February or Saturday 3rd February 2018 1.00pm-4.00pm. 35 Euros per person including all materials and light refreshments.

You will learn a little about the science behind the technique and then have a go at grafting your own fruit tree. We will provide you with a dwarfing rootstock and an apple variety to graft but if you have your own tree that you would like to propagate then please bring some along, use the contact form below to contact us to find out how to harvest grafting material from your tree.

All tools and materials will be provided. Please wear warm work clothing. This technique does need some manual dexterity and patience! You will take home your grafted maiden tree with full instructions on how to care for it in the first year to maximise success.

(Typical success rates for grafted trees is around 75% but if your graft doesn’t work first time you can use the rootstock again to have another go).

We will send you confirmation and further information once we have received your payment.

To book a place on Thursday 1st February use the buy now button below:

To book a place on Saturday 3rd February use the buy now button below:

Please use the contact form below if you have any questions: