It’s high season for hellebores in St. Louis. Here are a few blooming in The Gateway Gardener garden on March 4, 2012. Hellebores will seed easily, but are slow growers and take several years to reach blooming stage. They also don’t come true to seed, so you have no idea what the flower color or characteristics will be. It’s fun to see what comes up from volunteer seeds–perhaps you’ll find a winner and make a fortune on propagation rights! This group features one such seedling that has bloomed for the first time in it’s 3-year life. Unfortunately, it doesn’t show any special qualities, so I guess I won’t be able to retire off the royalties!

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