From Janet Baraclough’s garden

Helleborus x hybrids are in full flower just now, and their season last for months.

There is a spectacular range of hybrids developed by specialist hellebore breeders; pure whites, lime greens and yellows, and pink fading through purples to the very darkest slate blue. Some have a dark picotee edge, while others have spots; singles and doubles. The flowers hang two to three from a stem at about a foot or so, the leaves are handsome and evergreen.

Hellebores are completely hardy and ideal for growing under trees and large shrubs in a well-drained semi-shaded position in a humus rich soil. I mulch mine with homemade compost every year. Don’t rush to cut the heads off when at last they finish flowering; they will self seed freely, producing yet more variations of colours and markings, all irresistible.