Great expectations
The first Helleborus plants grown from seeds are set to flower this spring; knowing the ‘parents’ I cannot help having great expectations.
Helleborus x hybridus, grown from seeds of double red parents
I started to grow Helleborus from seeds just by accident really – read about the beginning in Helleborus journeying. Considering their high price on the market, it is something worth to grow yourself, especially when more than one plant is desired. And who can stop at one Helleborus?
Helleborus purpurascens grown from wild collected seeds (photo last fall) – it doesn’t seem it will flower this year but starting to look very much like its parents (see photos in the wild in Helleborus journeying)
Just like with the Epimediums, when growing Helleborus from seeds of open pollinated plants you should expect endless flower variations and many nice surprises along the way.
Not so nice surprises are also possible of course – that’s when the compost pile comes in handy ;)
There are more young plants in the pipeline: seedlings of anemone center parents (my favourites) including from H. Cherry Blossoms, various picotee forms, H. argutifolius, and the youngest of all – H. caucasicus (emerging seedlings in the featured image).
A most satisfying journey, indeed.
2 years ago mine flowered at christmas! They are in flower now but back under the snow.
The earliest to flower here is H. niger, which I also grew from seeds; the flower buds are just about to open but it will be while until flowering.