Hellebore Royal Heritage
click to enlarge any photo
Hellebore Royal Heritage
All right, Mr. De Mille, I'm ready for my closeup
Helleborus x ericsmithii 'HGC Silvermoon'
New to the garden so I haven't seen it age to pink, but the pewter leaves are stunning.
"I am big. It's the pictures that got small."
More blooms ready for their closeups!
Lavender Loveliness
Sweet faced Violas only came to reside at Clay and Limestone in the late fall~~before that it was giant pansies who spent their winters smiling upon us. I prefer these small lovelies to the big over blown pansies...To me, they look like a cross between a Johnny Jump-up and a violet.
Sweet Velvet Purples
I was reacquainted with them at a Fairegarden beauty pageant. So, when I saw them sitting on the shelf at a big box store, just a few among the giant pansies~~
Golden Sun
I knew these diminutive flowers belonged here~~They are sweet and almost indestructible; having survived some of the harshest weather Nashville has experienced in, well, quite a long time! Aren't they fantastic, garden worthy sweetie pies?
Late Winter Bloomers
Still blooming and still holding onto her leaves is Hamamelis intermedia X Diane~~
and,
H vernalis Bernice of the sweet honey and allspice scented flowers. When the days are warm their scent perfumes the air. It's delicious! If you can grow this small tree (or multi-stemmed shrub)....then rush out to your favorite nursery and take one home with you...Believe me, you won't be sorry with any of them.
and,
H vernalis Bernice of the sweet honey and allspice scented flowers. When the days are warm their scent perfumes the air. It's delicious! If you can grow this small tree (or multi-stemmed shrub)....then rush out to your favorite nursery and take one home with you...Believe me, you won't be sorry with any of them.
Signs of spring and things to come~
The first crocus bloomed this Friday and now they are all coming up and shouting...
It's almost spring! Hang in there for just a bit longer, Gail!
Also teasing us with spring dreams are the daffodils....I wish I could id this sweet daff for you. It's small, but too tall to be a miniature. I must have the name someplace! Any guesses? Finally, not from the garden these lovely tulips make me smile every time I see them~~
sitting on the table~~I am so glad you all stopped by to see the blooms at Clay and Limestone! On the fifteenth of each month Carol (May Dreams Gardens) hosts Garden BLogger's Bloom Day..So head over there to see even more blooms from all over the world! Thank you Carol!
Have a great day my friends!
Gail
Love your close ups, when are the Oscars?
ReplyDeleteLes,
ReplyDeleteVery soon...have we your vote?
Gail
You can compare Belgium to hardiness zone 7-8, but in your garden, everything seems to be just a little bit earlier than in yours. I have several witch hazels blooming, but Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane' is only opening her flowers now, and you can hardly see where my Hellebores are growing.
ReplyDeleteOh hooray, all is well with you! Camera working it, great photos, Gail. Thanks for the link love, I completely agree about the violas over the pansies, but have to buy a few of the larger floozies too. :-) Bernice is looking very pretty, and you already know how I feel about Diane. Those are some crisp hellebore shots, stars one and all! Spring, spring spring, come on down.
ReplyDeleteFrances
Love that first Royal Heritage. I don't have any with freckles (as Frances calls them:) Lots of color at your place. My daffys are not showing any yellow, but soon. Have a great day! Looks like a bit colder but that is okay I guess.
ReplyDeleteHuweei ...Everybody's excited and happy that spring is just around the corner. I am, too, although I guess it's always spring in Malaysia ... I'm happy that you guys are happy spring is coming.
ReplyDelete"I coulda been a star!" I love your theme for this month's bloom day. All the spring blooms seem ready made for close ups.
ReplyDeleteCarol, May Dreams Gardens
Frances,
ReplyDeleteHi there! I am still working on learning this camera and shooting closeups does require more light then we think...plus it was a bit damp lying on the ground!
Have a fantastic day out there...your post was fabulous! gail
Gail,
ReplyDeleteOhhh...I just love your Hellebore's, and I am in love with that witch hazel 'Diane.' I am determined to find a place for her this summer. Beautiful photos. So jealous you actually have plants blooming OUTSIDE. :)
Anne, Hello and welcome to C&L...gardening here is an interesting experience. We get the arctic blasts and the intense summer heat and drought...but we do get early springs! Glad you stopped by!
ReplyDeleteGail
Tina, Have a good day, too! You are that much further north that i think you are zone 6b! What do you think?
ReplyDeleteGail
Blossom, We really are!...It's been a long cold winter for many folks...and I want to garden!
ReplyDeleteGail
Carol, Thanks...it seemed a good theme...and thanks for Bloom Day...you know we love it!
ReplyDeleteGail
Liisa,
ReplyDeleteGlad you like Diane...I do recommend her or any of the witch hazels...I am partial to the native H vernalis...it seems to have a stronger scent in my garden. Have a good day!
gail
Loving all of your winter flowers. Your season is just a bit ahead of mine. I'll have my bloom day post up sometime this afternoon. I think those Hellebores are divine.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteDee, I will be by to see it...for sure! Being just a bit behind us means that in the next little bit...you will be posting beautiful blooms! I am so ready for spring!
ReplyDeletegail
Beautiful, Gail--your garden really is saying "spring"! If it's Oscar time, I'm voting for the Hellebores--lovely, lovely blooms and rather modest at the same time:)
ReplyDeleteGail, I can't believe how much you have in bloom already. Spring reall is much closer at Clay and Limestone. I love those Violas. And to have daffs and crocus as well-I could almost be envious. :}
ReplyDeleteYou have quit a bit of color at Clay and Limestone! Spring is popping for sure...
ReplyDeleteAll your blooms this month are stars in my opinion Gail! :) I love the Royal Heritage Hellebores with their freckled faces, very pretty. Your garden is a spring smorgaboard!
ReplyDeleteNo wonder you've been out in the garden so much Gail ~ you've got a lot going on there. Excellent blooms. I love the violas and the hellebores. I'm jealous, jealous, jealous that you have all that "spring" going on and it's still winter brown here. Next month, something will be blooming outside, for sure tho. I'll keep hanging on. What kind of camera did you end up purchasing? Did you tell us somewhere and I missed it? I know about laying on damp ground. oh my, the contortions we go thru to get a great photo. I can definitely appreciate that. I hope you have another fine day in the garden today ~ we are shrouded in thick fog this AM, but it's expected to lift by 10:00. Then hopefully sunshine! :-)
ReplyDeleteKathleen, Hi! I did lie down on the job...I am thinking about buying a new yoga mat and using it to keep dry.
ReplyDeleteThe things we do for garden love...hmmm didn't you say that on a post not too long ago! I am embarrassed to say that I have two cameras...One may be heading back to Costco...not sure. I do wish spring would arrive in your part of the garden...soon! On the other hand, none of us want global warming! Zone 7ish has its pluses: early springs, late winters...but there are also the late frosts and lack of snow cover for the arctic dips that arrive in january and february. I want to send you some hellebore seedlings...but fear it is roo cold and they are too tiny right now. Let's talk and see if we can get them bigger and to your garden safe and sound!
gail
Racquel, Thanks..it has smatterings of color and lots of BROWN!
ReplyDeletegail
Skeeter, I do hope spring is free of killer frosts...once burned and always wary! You are covered up in bloom at your garden!
ReplyDeletegail
Rose, It is Oscar time and the hellebores are wonderful...I was saying to Kathleen that I would love to share them...There is a cast of thousands! Let's she if potting a few up they can have time to grow and survive the UPS trip!
ReplyDeletegail
Beckie, it is wonderful to have spring showing up for us...Zone 7 ish brings us the early blooms and we celebrate them...I am trying to figure out how to send hellebores to Kathleen and Rose...would you like a few?
ReplyDeletehave a good day and I hope it warms up to above freezing for you all.
Gail
The small pansies are among my favorites! Up here they bloom rather well spring through fall but need to be treated as annuals. Our winters are too cold for them to be perrenials here. I've had much success with them reseeding themselves. I can't wait until it warms up enough to have some here!
ReplyDeleteThose tulips on your table are divine. Your cat doesn't bother it? As soon as I go into another room my naughty cats are on counters and tables after any plant that may be there. It looks like spring is headed your way!
Absolutely delicious images, Gail! You've done a great kindness for us snow-covered northerners, giving us a taste of what's to come - even though we'll probably have to wait until next month's Bloom Day to see it for real. (By the way, I left a link to a source for the 'Washington Park' witch hazel in the comment you left for me at Hayefield.)
ReplyDeleteYour post made me smile today, Gail - those flowers of yours are all so very pretty! Your hellebores are stunning and the small panskies delicious! Spring seems to have arrived at Clay and Limestone! Hurrah!
ReplyDeleteKatarina
Love all your blooms and am looking forward to the same* coming up in my garden in 6-8 weeks!
ReplyDelete*I don't have hellebores, but they certainly steal the show, and with going-away money I received at work, a witch hazel Diane AND a chokeberry, which you showed in an earlier post, are on my spring shopping list!!!!
Gail:
ReplyDeleteLovely that spring is indeed present in some people's gardens. I still have snow, but there are spots that are bare.... of course they are calling for another 10-15cm of snow by the end of next week.... but it's only February here in the land of ice and snow!
I am more than intriqued with the H. ericsmithii 'HGC Silvermoon'... please post progress pictures for us! Gorgeous pictures, a beautiful 'family' you have! Enjoy your early spring.....*sigh*
Teza, I will..it is quite an interesting flower/plant that has gotten good reviews with a promise of long bloom! The land of ice and snow ...now I have a song going off in my head! I wish I could think of the name!
ReplyDeletegail
Monica,
ReplyDeleteI am going to try to send the hellebore seedlings out...shall you go on the list, too!
Gail
katarina, You can't lose with the violas! They are precious flowers and look immense because I have supersized them with close-ups! it's good to visit with you! Love your embroidered flower! gail
ReplyDeleteNan, I've been there and been delighted with the wonderful Hamamelis! Who knew they had named varieties...out here in the sticks of Nashville (some people do call us the third coast but that is really pushing it!) my favorite native plant nursery still only carries the species! Thanks for your very kind compliments....gail
ReplyDeleteCinj,
ReplyDeleteLucky you that they reseed...that is my hope, too! is there a secret? The cat is only interested in anything that looks like grass...he wants to go outside but it is a dangerous world for kitties...Your kitties sound like fun companions when ever you write about them!
Gail
What a creative GBBD post! I love all the blooms, and I don't know where hellebores have been all my life, but I did find some on the list of plants at a sale I go to in April. I will be in line early to get in, just in case.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like spring has arrived at your place! A daffodil already, lucky you! I prefer the sweet little violas to the pansies too.
ReplyDeleteLookin' good! Signs of spring are certainly beginning to pop up. I like the hellebores. Our tulips are beginning to come up in the front garden. It will be another month until blooms.
ReplyDeleteHi Gail - WOW to your hellebores (I think I need to get that Royal Heritage for my garden), also your violas and crocus, and an almost-daffodil, not to mention the two stunning witch hazels! This is such a fun day every month. I'm glad I decided to join, even though I don't have anything nearly so spectacular. In answer to your rosemary question, I think it just must be climate, site, and perhaps the age of the plant. I have done absolutely nothing to it other than whack it back a lot on one side and shake the snow off in the winter. It seems indestructible! Hope yours start blooming again, since they are a hummingbird magnet at least in my garden.
ReplyDeleteSue,
ReplyDeletehello! hellebores are wonderful..I hope you can find them still available at your sale...they will not be bothered by your snow!
gail
Robin, I wish that Mother Nature would remember that spring is here...instead we are getting temperatures in the twenties. Not really so bad as I make it sound;-) I am just ready to work in the garden...I know you are, you can take the gardener out of the south...well, you know the rest!
ReplyDeletegail
Dave,
ReplyDeleteYou need hellebores Dave I can get you seedlings...just holler!
gail
Karen,
ReplyDeleteYou do...it can show up as white or freckled white or even solid red...a real treat and one that you can just knock the snow off of too! I think I will have to have a chat with Rosemary I and II! So glad you stopped by!
Gail
I am not jealous, I am not jealous, I am not jealous, I am not jealous...
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe just a little bit. But, I'm getting ready for Spring!! It'll be here before we know it!! :-)
Your Hellebores certainly are stars. Forgive them for acting the diva. As if just having them wasn't enough, you've got Crocuses & Daffodils already, I'm just so jealous.
ReplyDeleteAll your blooms are beautiful, Gail, but Diane and Bernice really smile for me. :) Also, those first crocuses -- what could be more springlike than that? Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Gail!
ReplyDeleteI smiled over at mine when you wished me good afternoon, knowing full well it was morning over at yours! So it's good afternoon from me here ;)
I've been converted to Violas too. As well as being more charming than their pansy cousins, I find they seem to be able to cope better with cold spells, so you get much more bloom for your buck!
A lovely show Gail - I enjoyed your film analogy!
Guess what - I've actually managed 3 hours out in the garden/up the allotment today. It felt really good to be getting all growy again :D
Gosh Gail, you have lots of pretties. I just love your hellebores. Well, lets face it. I love them all. So cheerful all these blooms. Happy GBBD.
ReplyDeleteSpring is on it's way. Lovely photos here.
ReplyDeleteWow ! Spring has certainly arrived in your neck of the woods Gail. Everything is much further on than here in north west England. Beautiful, beautiful hellebores !
ReplyDeleteHi Gail--your Hellebores are gorgeous! And well deserving of their close-ups. I'm hoping ours will come up--first time ever to try them (first time ever to live where they grow!) Enjoy all your bulbs popping up. Thanks for sharing and for leaving a nice comment on my blog today.
ReplyDeleteYou've really got some beautiful color!! You hellebores are beautiful. How come my Royal Heritage don't look as nice as yours? :) Mine haven't opened yet. I love the Golden Sun pansy!
ReplyDeleteYou are so luck to have so many blooms for February. All I had was the two wilted pansies in my Buried Treasure post, and I already posted those! Inside, I have my orchid, and a tiny little rose. Otherwise, blooms are sorely lacking around here!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if hellebores would grow down here, or if it's too warm?
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Gail, your blooms are so lovely, and mine are still so far away...I still haven't gone on glacier-esque expedition to see how my 'Diane' is progressing, but I'm sure she's not anywhere near starting to bloom. The hellebores are especially fabulous, so I'm glad that you have them and are sharing them with us all.
ReplyDeleteJodi, Well thank you...I love the hellebores and I have taken a few more photos that I plan to share this week sometime...I can't imagine how glacial your weather must be...I would never leave the house! Cold weather and I aren't the best of friends. I do hope spring comes to NS a bit earlier or at least some thaws start. gail
ReplyDeletenancy,
ReplyDeleteI don't know how far south you are in TX but France (Fairegarden) brought her Big Mama hellebore from the Dallas area...
Gail
Ms Robin, I keep repeating this but cruel February will soon be over and with March will come crocus and other beauties in your garden...and I think your pansies will perk up shortly. gail
ReplyDeleteCatherine,
ReplyDeleteYou might have to have a talk with them...we had a few very warm days and they forgot it was still winter and opened their cheerful freckled faces to the sun! Once February moves toward March all will be better!
Gail
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteIt was my pleasure...you will love your hellebores! Wait till you see all the babies they make...just let them go to seed!
gail
Anna,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you like the hellebores..they are hard to resist...Didn't you just have a lot of snow! I bet you catch up with us shortly!
Gail
Hey Darla...It is isn't it...but you are way ahead of us! I loved your post!
ReplyDeletegail
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI love the hellebores, too...I can't believe how fast they grow. I got my first ones in fall 2007 at the grocery store! Then a few others from real nurseries and good friends! Do you have them in your garden?
Gail
Gail -- Your Hellebores are stars, that's for sure! They are so impressive. I have my first one and it is blooming for the first time. I'm in love! The crocus are adorable -- as are your daffodils -- just one more day and it will probably be all open. Enjoy all those bulbs.
ReplyDeleteDear VP,
ReplyDeleteGreat news about the garden time...Doesn't it make you feel good! Gardening is the best therapy I know for raising my spirit and putting me in a meditative state. I totally think that the little violas are the best...I don't seem to have the penchant for 'bigger flowers are better'.
Well it's night here and must be very early in the morning over where you live...whatever time it is..I am glad you stopped by!
gail
Nancy, You are so right the crocus to signal spring..I am so very fond of Bernice! I hope everyone realizes that is a made up name! Who really cares! But she does smell sweet...I am glad you stopped by!
ReplyDeletegail
Dear MMD,
ReplyDeleteYou have that magic fast draining soil that I want to have! I think we are looking at the green grass in each other's gardens! Oh that beautiful prairie smoke seedhead! Happy Bloom Day!
Gail
Dear Shady,
ReplyDeleteSpring is on it's way and before long all those gorgeous hosta I can't grow will be up and the toad lily...I am trying to grow and all your heucheras (I can grow them!)...Your garden will be gorgeous!
Glad you popped over...
Gail
Diana, hello! I am glad you like the hellebores...and good news that they can grow in Austin...I think they must be practically perfect perennials! Glad you stopped by tonight.
ReplyDeletegail
Your post just warmed my winter weary heart...thank you! You indeed deserve a little gold guy for that!!! Kim
ReplyDeleteLovely post Gail. The hellebores and pansies are just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to tell since it's not open yet, but the daff looks like it is either February Gold or N. pseudonarcissus. Where did you get it?
what beautiful blooms you have my dear.
ReplyDeleteAll your "shouting" flowers are making a cheerful sound. Lucky you to enjoy such a cacophony this Bloom Day.
ReplyDeleteThose magenta spots on that white Hellebore...lovely!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Gail and thank you for those amazing photos. This is a perfect start on a monday morning, very positive and colorful.
ReplyDeleteTyra
Oh Gail, your close-ups are AWESOME!!! I just kept looking and looking.....All the blooms are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by my blog. Have a pleasant week!
Lovely blooms! I especially like that first hellbore.
ReplyDeleteWhat treasures you have Gail! Nothing here yet but the foliage and promise of blooms. It is still quite cold and true to February, the month is dragging on. Visiting the Bloom Day posts keep one smiling:)
ReplyDeleteVery nice, Gail.
ReplyDeleteViolas seem extremely reliable. Who could imagine anything so sweet could have survived your winter? The velvet purple is so very beautiful... And Diane still adding such delicious texture to your garden!
Your table tulips make me smile, too.
Meems @ Hoe and Shovel
Meems,
ReplyDeleteGood morning! I hope you are still having a wonderful visit with Marmee! The weather here is cold and there are no outside dining is going to happen! ...and if you are in the middle of your visit...Thank you for taking the time to compliment my sweet violas and smile at the tulips!
Gail
Layanee,
ReplyDeleteI Know it is wearing! My son says we don't know cold, snow and wind at all! We often chat when he is walking to school and I can hear the wind howl of the bay! Oh my...I would have a green house office like yours filled with blooming indoor plants! Keep warm and safe!
Gail
Rurality,
ReplyDeleteGlad you like her/him! Isn't the color incredible...it's hard to describe when plants have a waxy look to their leaves...l loved seeing your trilliums and budding bluebells...none here that I can see!
Gail
Kanak,
ReplyDeleteHello! ...and thank you for popping over here! Did I get it wrong and think you were in Australia not India...if so I apologize! have a great afternoon!
Gail
Hi Tyra,
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon to you! Thank you! We woke up to a 27 degree (F) temperatures so I plan on visiting a few blogs and going to the gym! What did you do today?
Gail
DreamyBee,
ReplyDeleteThey are the cutest freckles aren't they...I am glad you popped over to say hello!
gail
Pam,
ReplyDeleteI do feel that way...even tho it's a cold day in February!
I hope you are getting a good amount of time in your garden! have a good week.
gail
marmee,
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you my friend! We have to get together soon...Do you think it will ever be warm!
gail
Dear Sweetbay,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! it is February Gold! I forgot that I transplanted a few to spots here and there! I used to get all my bulbs at a sweet nursery in town..they had the best collection, even cyclamen! But they went out of business...Who do you order from? My goal is to keep writing in my little journal...so far I have just a few blank days! have a great day dear!
gail
Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteFlowers are the best gift on a cold day! We are back into winter and I am appreciating the photos, too! All the crocus have taken their toys home and closed up for the week!
Keep warm and please more Gizmo shots...he was delightful in beret! I think a chef's hat and his favorite recipe would be perfect!
gail
I *love* hellebores. Thanks for the beautiful pictures :)
ReplyDeleteLythrum,
ReplyDeleteme, too and you are very welcome!
Gail
Crocus! Crocus! Crocus! I had to comment about the stunning beauty first! Mmmmmwahhh! This is only to them ;)
ReplyDeleteThe pansies look adorable too!
Great post, Gail.
Gail, I'm with you about the violas. I really love them but this year the local nurseries didn't have very many interesting ones. Your hellebores are fabulous. I think they may be hard to grow here (and NONE of the nurseries carry them). But I'm willing to take the risk!
ReplyDeleteJean
I'm seeing so many beautiful Hellebores. Yours are gorgeous...of course! Love those sweet pansy faces, and the crocus. And you even have a daff...lucky you!
ReplyDeleteYour Hazels are wonderful too. I,ve added one to my wish list.
Happy Bloom Day to you and all your pretty blooms, Gail!
Beautiful blooms Gail. I can't wait for my hellebores to start growing.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a show for February!
ReplyDeleteCameron
What a beautiful Bloom Day at Clay and Limestone Gail! It looks like spring has arrived in Tennessee!
ReplyDeleteI think I am going to be comment 99 .. what happened to agent 86 ??
ReplyDeleteI will forgive you such nice pictures and aspect of Spring .. because you are a nice person Gail ... grumble grumble, snow, ice and a storm coming !! ; )
Beautiful portraits, Gail ... no 1Hellebore Royal Heritage is stunning! My 'Sleeping Beauties' rest under a blanket of snow :)
ReplyDeleteGail, what gorgeous photos. I cannot wait for spring--I think my little plants are watched pots--seems like they'll never boil! Yours are beautiful and I'm writing down the hellebores--I can't get enough. Happy Bloom Day--it's good to be reading again.
ReplyDeleteJust stunning! (Did you give your hellebores a shower? Mine always have aphids, look great from afar, but not ready for close-ups ;->)
ReplyDeleteHi Gail,
ReplyDeleteAbout the only thing green here (aside from the hollies) is me .. with crocus, hellebore and daffodil envy! Our hellebores are still buried (even after the meltdown) and everything else got covered with that recent 8 inch snow last week. More on the way, too... *sigh.*
We will have blooms soon though, thanks to our Valentine gifts (soon to appear at my place), but they'll be inside!
So... did you name that lovely hellebore Norma? :-)
I feel exactly like IVG, green with envy. Your flowers are lovely. I agree about the violas, perfect little faces, smaller than pansies but with more character.
ReplyDeleteThat first hellebore certainly got my attention. Wow! I need one of those;)
Marnie
Gail, thanks for making me feel welcome on my first GBBD. How lucky you are to be zone 7-ish...your blooms take my breath away.
ReplyDeleteoohhh, the hellebores are beautiful:) I want some! I have 1 plant and it's dark purple, almost black. I'm not that crazy about it...but yours, to die for (No, not 'really':)
ReplyDeleteI guess your weather in TN is that much nicer than here because I don't even have a crocus popping up yet!! That's why I went crazy and went to Lowe's and bought a bunch of indoor plants. Now I'm ok...for a little while. If it doesn't turn into spring soon, I may need to go out and get MORE!
I've been reading so much on blogs about Hellabores. I'm wondering if they'd grow in my climate. I'll have to research this. They are stunning, Gail!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
What beautiful close up photos, makes me even more eager for spring, which is a ways away here in Iowa.
ReplyDelete