Hellebores! That's what they're called. I was given a pot with these plants
in it and one winter, a couple years ago, I was startled to see purple
blooms! For me they started in November and did fine (in a pot) in the snow.

I also have another winter flowering plant. I took starts from a brick wall
in a town called Laconner. The leaves are purple and green and are very
tiny. The flowers are white, though my friend who had them claimed they're
purple. Any ideas as to what it may be?


"Garrapata" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 23 Feb 2003 10:23:21 -0500, "Betsy" -0 wrote:

How are they grown/started? Can they be started from seed?


Here near the coast in central California I plant them any time. They
are tough and once they get established bloom reliably and are easy from
seed

A year ago I started a couple of dozen from my own seed, they are doing
well, they only have 3 or 4 leaves, looks like at least 2 more years
before they have a hope of blooming. I just planted the fresh seed in 6"
pots as soon as it was ripe.