I've always been anxious to grow hellebores because some gardening books mark their bloom time as January-February. Yes, well... in England, maybe. In New Jersey, they usually appear for me around late March. This has been an especially snowy and cold winter, so they didn't really show their faces till April.
But that's OK. I'm happy to see them whenever they deign to appear, because it means that spring has begun. No, they are not the reliable late-winter bloomers that the books portray... at least not for me. But they tend to appear with the daffodils, and they are most welcome!
One of their common names is Lenten Rose, and I guess this year that is an accurate description. The blooms themselves are downward facing, so that I finally decided to snip two buds and bring them inside just so that I could photograph them. I think they go particularly well with this Fan China teacup, and also with the small Clarice Cliffe transferware dish, with it's purple and white basket motif. I like to pair flowers and dishes, as you may have noticed. ;)
The teacup belonged to my mother -- she collected them. I guess that is where I get my collecting gene from, although my father was known to come home from the town dump with more than he brought. :)
The transferware plate is from a partial set that I bought a few years ago in my favorite thrift store. I walked into the store, spied them by the desk, but went to look at something else. When I returned, someone had bought half the set.
First rule of thrifting -- when you see it, grab it!
I wanted to thank you all again for your thoughts and prayers for my father-in-law. He is doing better, and my be moved to a rehab center in the next few days. So again, my thanks to all of you. xoxo
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Hi Mary
ReplyDeleteHere in NC hellebores bloom in January I just love them!
Mary, I could gaze at your first photo all day! Beautiful flowers and perfectly styled! Always a pleasure visiting here.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary..Glad to hear your father-in-law is doing a little better. God bless him. Yeah, I know what you mean about thrifting. If you see it, grab it, or otherwise, you might lose it. That has happened to me SO many times. Lovely flowers and cups. Susan
ReplyDeleteMine usually bloom late January early February. I'm in zone 7. You are so right, they are lovely no matter when they bloom. My mother collected teacups as well. They are mine now and I cherish them.
ReplyDeleteGreat news! Thanks for the lovely pics of the hellebores. They are amazing little flowers!
ReplyDeleteOh, such lovely, lovely blossoms.
ReplyDeleteSo glad your FIL is improving.
The hellabores are lovely. Until I began blogging, I had never known what they were and had to ask an English gardener.
ReplyDeleteI heard, probably on tv, that if you want an item at the thrift store, take the price tag and not the item. Would a person get clobbered for that? ;>
So glad that your father-in-law is doing better. That's good news.
I'm so glad to read that your father-in-law is doing better.
ReplyDeleteHellebores are beautiful floating in a glass or crystal bowl.
The pictures are lovely Mary! A delight to see the flowers and the tea cup, composed well!
ReplyDeleteBuongiorno Mary...iniziare il mattino visitando il tuo blog....è meraviglioso, dà allegria e buon umore!
ReplyDeleteUn caro saluto, *Maristella*.
Morning Mary, your photographs are exquisite as usual. The Hellebores are one of our first flowers in the Winter here in the UK and they survive so well, I still have them in flower and they have lasted a lot longer than the daffodils. The flowers and the china certainly make wonderful still life pictures. So pleased to hear FIL is improving.Look after yourself, Jackie in Surrey, UK.x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photography. You are gifted. I am always amazed at the time difference of the bloom cycle of the Lenten Rose between the southern latitudes and the northern latitudes. Similar to an earlier post commented, my Lenten Roses here in NE Ga bloom in late Feb, early March. Happy Gardening
ReplyDeleteRichard
LentenRose.com
Beautiful flowers. So glad that your father in law is a little better. Carla
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ReplyDeleteLovely flowers, they go well with the teacup
ReplyDeleteSo lovely! I've often admired hellebores too; they look enchanting with your teacup and the transferware plate!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary, your flowers are beautiful, and so are your tea cup and transferware! I'm off to read up on hellebores, because I'm not familiar with them. Thanks for sharing! Bess
ReplyDeleteMary, I have never grown these, but your blooms are so pretty. And, of course, your photos are stunning.
ReplyDeleteI am glad your father-in-law is improving.
Gorgeous flowers and photos. I'm happy to hear your f-in-law is improving!
ReplyDeleteI missed an earlier post re your fil's illness and I am very happy that he is already on the mend...those are some tough problems he has been dealt with...My thoughts are with your family...
ReplyDeleteI planted some hellebore last year but all I have is green so far...maybe in RI it blossoms later...
Such stunning photos!!
ReplyDeleteI think you've outdone yourself again with these, Mary – I love the blooms in the teacups! Our hellebores do bloom early but keep going well into May. As they get established I think they will bloom earlier, too. I've found certain hybrids do better than others. I love the very dark ones but they seem more delicate. All positive thoughts and wishes to your father in law and very glad he is better.
ReplyDeletexo – g
Those hellebores are so charming. So old school! My sister has some in her yard that are blooming right now. (We're in Washington state.) I can't let another season go by without planting some! Your vintage china is the ideal backdrop for them.
ReplyDeleteI just love Hellebore! I had wanted one for forever but, because they're poisonous and I had little ones, I put it off. I FINALLY had gotten a plant and..... we moved. Sigh! Maybe, this year....
ReplyDeleteThey're perfect with the china and the tray - perfect, I tell ya!
Love, Me
(Flowers and china - I can't ever, ever get tired of seeing them. What's up with that????? I feel so embarrassed when I photograph them, again but I just love them forever. It's the same with my cup of tea - always inspiring! =D)
So pretty. It is so very wonderful to see our Spring blooms make an appearance! You feature them so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Lenten Rose blossoms! They compliment your mother's tea set so well. Glad to hear your father-in-law is doing better. Cyber hugs to you.
Our hellebores in the UK never flowered until around Easter, where they are also known as The Lenten Rose.
ReplyDeletegorgeous shots - i love them too but have never had some to clip to photograph this way.
ReplyDeleteGorgious blooms - I have never seen this plant before, so thank you for sharing its beauty with us.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful little flowers! My favorite is the first one. Your father in law? Oh, so sorry to hear!
ReplyDeleteAh, now I remember about your husband's dad. xo
ReplyDeleteIt's been that kind of week.