Thread: Helleborus?
View Single Post
  #16   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2006, 08:58 PM posted to rec.gardens
madgardener
 
Posts: n/a
Default Helleborus?


"Radio Free America" wrote in message
. 142...
"Doug Kanter" wrote :


"Radio Free America" wrote in message
. 142...
Helleborus looks like a cool perennial for here in the Denver
area. They say it blooms in late winter. How neat.

It's also supposed to be good for shade and part shade. The
area where I'd like to plant some, is on an embankment that's
mostly shaded by some trees in summer but of course they have
no leaves in winter, but I guess that would be ok for this
plant?

They also say it's evergreen. Really? Here in Denver or in
southern climates?

But I see the seed sellers on Ebay are only selling a few
seeds at a time and they're pricey. Why is that? It isn't one
of those plants that's very hard to get seeds started for, is
it?

Do the seeds take like 6 months to germinate or anything?

I like more of a sure thing, where I can just plant seeds and
they go for it.


How about just buying a ready-grown plant from a reliable
LOCAL nursery? It's not an uncommon plant.




I checked with one. They don't have seedling size, only gallons,
and they want $13 each!




well considering that the local Lowes here wanted $7.97 + 9.75% sales tax,
that's not too bad. Stanley's nursery in Knoxville wants $8.97 and NO tax
because they raise their own plants and don't have to charge sales tax.
But shipping you one would cost you more. Spend the $13 and invest in
about two or three of them of different colors, plant them in amended
humusy soil in a semi shady spot (eastern is awesome with a kiss of north)
and mulch with leaves. water until established, and when it blooms, don't
pinch those flowers, the pollinators will come around when you're not
looking and do what they did for me last year. I have TENS and TENS of all
three of my older plants.

the older leaves will start looking raggedy, but resist the urge to prune or
tidy them, and come late winter, the new leaves will rise from the old ones
in the center, and eventually a bloom spike and viola! you're in business.
madgardener