I love to see hellebore plants adding colour to the winter and spring garden, and here are two rather nice purple flowers.
Commonly known as hellebores, the Eurasian genus Helleborus consists of approximately 20 species of herbaceous or evergreen perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae, within which it gave its name to the tribe of Helleboreae. Despite names such as "winter rose", "Christmas rose" and "Lenten rose", hellebores are not closely related to the rose family (Rosaceae).
Many hellebore species are poisonous. During the Siege of Kirrha in 585 BC, hellebore was reportedly used by the Greek besiegers to poison the city's water supply. The defenders were subsequently so weakened by diarrhea that they were unable to defend the city from assault.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
York may look very much like Spring has arrived, but sadly it is still quite cool for the time of year - but at least the threat of snow seems to have gone!
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
York may look very much like Spring has arrived, but sadly it is still quite cool for the time of year - but at least the threat of snow seems to have gone!
Ian
Thank you all, these attractive flowers give a nice display of colour in the winter and spring.
Ian