This clump of hellebores (Helleborus orientalis) started to open up a week or so ago, towards the end of April this year. But I could see the flower buds marshalling for the big push under the leaves as early as March. That’s why a common name for this flower is the Lenten rose, because it flowers in early spring, near Easter. Of course, the flowering period is more accurately “Lenten” in milder climates like the UK.

Hellebores were the fleur du jour a few years ago. Funny how a certain flower suddenly becomes trendy. I think I got mine on the leading cusp of that trend, but I can’t recall really. I just liked them because they’re so Englishy.

Interestingly, for something so over ‘ome feeling, they’ve proven to be pretty tough. They get a little more sun than some of my front garden does, but they still contend with a dry, rooty semi-shade. My guess is they fall into that gardening category, “easy care, once established.”

It’s a shame the flowers tend to be of the nodding variety. But perhaps it’s good for us, sometimes, to lie down on the ground and look upward at your garden, as I had to do to capture the picture above. Otherwise, all I might ever see would be the tops of their sweet little heads.