hellebores – Fine for Friday

Late Winter 13 Feb 2026

There has been such a dramatic change in the weather this week. It is spring-like with a gentle breeze and warm sunny days. There is no frost in the forecast for at least the next 10 days.

The spring bloom display has begun. The daffodils, the crocuses and the snowdrops are full. There are some red buds appearing on the roses.

The late winter tasks are well underway. Most significant has been the pruning of beauty berry, Rose of Sharon, anise and vitex. Since they bloom on this years growth, this should bring out more blooms later in the year.

The hellebores have been hesitant to bloom for the last few weeks, but they have come out with many blooms in the last few days. The reliable more common one on the left is more abundant but the subtle shading of ‘Pink Frost’ on the right makes it my favorite.

The Crocus ‘Snow White’ was planted last year. One bloom appeared a week ago but another two blooms appeared yesterday. This is a small bloom but it is bright white and shows up well.

The Edgeworthia chrysantha (Paperbush) on the right is also a small group of blooms but really stands out with its egg yolk yellow color. This is one of my favorite shrubs because of its striking stem architectural shape.

The daffodil on the left is unnamed. It was done a good job of becoming established and has many clumps.

The daffodil on the right is ‘Lovelady’. I think. Whatever the name, it is a beauty.

No. This dahlia is not blooming now. I am posting it because of something I learned yesterday. A local nursery sells dahlia blooms (Stone Hollow Farmstead). They sell dahlia blooms and the my informant states it is not necessary to dig them up in the fall in our area. They will do well left in the ground and survive our winter very well.

I hope the weather is pleasant wherever you are and that you will be able to get out to enjoy your garden.

I will be posting tomorrow with the Six on Saturday group. Come check it out. Here is the website https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

Happy gardening.

Winter 12 January 2024

The garden continues to mostly hibernate. Closer looks reveal some early appearance of early spring bloomers. It is still difficult to find photos for the blog.

The upper reaches of the USA are experiencing a wintery blast. This will be enough that it will probably make the newscasts of Europe and the rest of the globe. We here in the Deep South will experience some snow next week and one night when the temps will be low enough to threaten less hardy plants. I will do my best to protect the plants I am overwintering. Their protection is best called a cold frame and is not a climate controlled greenhouse.

Here are my six for this week. If you want to see more, come join the Six on Saturday group tomorrow. Our host is Jim Stephens and the link is here https://gardenruminations.co.uk.

The poinsettia has a serious bloom on it now. I have kept it now for three years.

The Hellebore should bloom soon. It is the traditional white (H. orientalist). Fortunately, it produces plenty of little seedlings which I have transplanted to other shady spots. I have no problems with snails and slugs.

The anemone is a new one for me. It is in a “moon garden” just at the front door.

I am showing you the little shed where I keep my less hardy ferns. The doors of the shed are well sealed and if I keep a light or two on, the ferns will survive.

The pansy will survive the cold which is coming next week especially if I cover the pansies with some leaves or pine straw.

The last photos are of my seed starter. I bought, for modest cost, the stainless steel cart and hung the uv lights. I bought a timer so that I can vary the light as needed. It works great. Here you can see the Cleome that is already of a reasonable size. It will be ready for spring.

I hope we don’t have serious damage to my tea olives (Osmanthus) and Camellias with the coming cold week.

Happy Gardening!

Five for February 3 Feb 2023

Its a sunny day which is especially delightful since we have had a run of gloomy rainy days. We are storing up the rain now since we can expect dry hot weather in the summer.

The plant world is showing more evidence of emergence aided by the increased duration of sunlight. I am seeing more daffodils, some tulip magnolias and even a few early azalea blooms.

It is becoming easier to find 6 photos to feature on this blog.

First is a glorious cluster of Lenten roses which are a brilliant white.

Second is a smaller cup daffodil which is in a cluster as you can see. I am unsure of the name. The leaves on the ground are mostly water oak. This spot is mostly in morning sun.

Third is the early buds of blueberry. This is Vaccinium ashei which are rabbiteyes. I think is the cultivar ‘Tifton’. I had to put a glove behind them before the iphone camera would focus.

Fourth is an asparagus fern coming to life. This is Asparagus sp which is not a true fern. It is perennial in our Zone 8A.

Fifth is a heucherella which I have in a container in a mostly shade area. This is exciting since it looked to be wiped out by the Christmas flash freeze.

Sixth is Rudbeckia triloba or Brown eyed susan which is a native to our area. I plantd these last year in a container. They were severely affected by the flash freeze at Christmas but I am proud to say they are making a comeback.

I have one more photo to show today. We have a number of feral cats in our neighborhood. Two days ago we heard a lot of noise from under the hood of my wife’s car. These were the culprits.

They were right on top of the battery. By size and movement, we think they are three weeks old. The neighbor is keeping them as she has been feeding the mother. The kittens will go to a shelter as will the mother.

Join us for Six on Saturday tomorrow hosted by Jim Stephens here. Check out gardens from all the world.

Happy gardening!!

Five for Friday 27 January 2023

In Alabama, the days are lengthening and more signs of spring growth are appearing. There are still some frosty nights this week but just a few degrees. I have started some seeds but mostly these are some herbs and some perennials.

Today, my photos are from the Birmingham Botanical Gardens as well as my own yard and the Vestavia Hills Mens Garden

This first photo is of some winter interest. This is a bank of muhly grass with limelight hydrangeas in the background near the conservatory. This was very noticeable on a sunny day this week at the Botanical Gardens. Notice how the hydrangeas keep the petals over the winter.

The second photo is of a hardwood woodland at the Gardens filled with King Alfred daffodils. This faces east and warms early in the day as the sun rises.

The third photo from the Botanical Gardens is Spirea thunbergii which may be called Thunberg spirea. It is also on an east facing bank. These tiny blossoms are brilliant white. I did not notice a fragrance but there must be to attract early insect pollinators.

Next is a photo from my yard of a large cupped daffodil which I think is Orange Sunset. It was in some shade when I took this picture so its brilliant colors cannot be appreciated.

This next phots is also from my yard showing the first signs of recovery in my tea olives Osmanthus fragrans. I am very pleased to see this.

The next photo is from the Mens Garden. Here is a beautiful violet hellebore. This was a donation so I do not know the cultivar. It was shyly drooping a little so I raised it up to take the photo.

Another from the Mens Garden is an emerging fiddlehead of a Southern Shield fern Thelypteris kunthii. They are deciduous and a little agressive but they are a great groundcover in woodland areas and even in sunny locations.

Finally, here is also some sign of life in an oakleaf hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia. These Alabama natives are very hardy and are a welcome sign of the coming spring season.

I hope your garden is also beginning to show increasing signs of life. If you are able, join us Saturday morning for the Six on Saturday group. See gardeners from around the world post photos of their gardens.

Jim Stephens is our host and you can find it here.

Until next time.

Five for Friday 6 January 2023

#Vestavia #VHMensgarden

Here in the American South, I have had time to assess the damage from the Christmas freeze. It is significant but there are definitely signs of hope.

The herbaceous annuals and perennials are showing signs of recovery. The shrubs have a lot of leaf damage but the horticulture folks tell us to wait until spring growth before pruning. That makes a lot of sense. The hope is that we will still have the beautiful spring flowering from the azaleas. The camellias are expected to bloom soon. We shall see. Short range, the weather looks favorable for plant growth.

Today, I am showing some before and after photos.

First, these are holly ferns. Fingers crossed here since they are favorites.

Second, these are lenten roses. A lot of damage but it looks recoverable.

Third, these are pansies. They had been off to a good start but this is a significant set back.

Fourth, these are poppies. I thought they were goners but maybe not so fast.

Fifth, these are the rudbeckia. Once more, there is a glimmer of hope.

Finally, these are Shasta daisies.

There is hope. There are buds on the camellias, the daffodils are rising and a cut through an azalea branch still shows the green cambium of growth.

Please join the Six on Saturday group hosted by Jim Stephens Six on Saturday.

Happy Gardening.

Dec 26 Stroll through Birmingham Botanical Gardens

It is that beautiful weather that teases us in winter. The temp is in the 70’s and the sun is shining. It is temporary but so wonderful. Today we strolled through the BBG and found bloomers and buds to enjoy. All these could be found in yards in Central Alabama.