CWilde wrote:

"Pam" wrote in message
...


CWilde wrote:



Like 3 years ago I ordered bare root stock from some catalog. Received
three
roots, planted them in one of my shadiest spots. Only one made it
(hopefully
it will still be there when spring finally starts showing up). I haven't
seen started plants anywhere around here, so I was thinking they must
not
be well adapted to my area. Did you start with plants, roots, or seeds?
What
climate zone are you in?

I would think bare root stock of hellebores would be the least desirable
method
of planting. They tend to be a bit fussy about transplanting and I have a
hard
time imagining just when they would be dormant enough to attempt to
accomplish
this successfully. Either starting seed (relatively easy if fresh) or
containerized plants would be preferable.

You may be just at that zonal point that is challenging for these plants.
Most
species are hardy to zone 6, some to zone 5, but 4 is pushing it. And they
don't
like heavy shade - part shade at best, many would prefer quite a lot of
sun.

pam - gardengal


Thanks for the advice. The one that survived has gotten a little bigger
every year, hasn't bloomed yet. I've read that they don't like to be
transplanted. It's in heavy shade. Do you think I should try and move it to
part shade, or because it's made it for three years, leave it where it is?

Carlotta

That transplanting thing is a bit of a fable - as long as you get a good sized
rootball, they take to it quite well. They can even be divided, if careful. I'd
wait until later in the season, after things warm up properly, and then move it
to a sunnier location. Morning sun would be best - your summer afternoon sun
might be a little strong - and if you have it, somewhere it might be a little
less exposed in winter. They don't care to be mulched with anything rich, so
something simple like pine straw (over limestone chips to counteract any
acidity) might help with additional winter protection.

pam - gardengal