Lenten rose, Christmas rose, hellebore...
Their flowers are great, big and long lasting in late winter or
very early spring when even a little bloom goes a long way.
However, hellebores are good for so much more than flower!
(To jump to the article and downloadable chart that also
includes this plant: Easiest Best
Perennials.)
Form and texture galore
They have distinct form -- no matter the season, they're a
reliable mound about 12" tall and up to twice that wide. Even in
dim light the mounds are notable when surrounded by vertical or mat
form plants.
They have coarse texture. Their leaves are large, so their edges
and shadows create a bold pattern of light and dark on the
plant surface. Coarse plants stand out near fine plants like bold
polka dot print cloth stands out from tweed.
Here they are in bloom at the base of the "tree" trellis, and
again throughout the season contributing by way of their coarse,
dark foliage. They provide contrast and separation between the fine
textures of arborvitae hedge behind and boxwood in front.
![HellebNoName8129s.jpg](/media/170147/HellebNoName8129s_200x301.jpg)
![DsgnHellebSeqB7876s.jpg](/media/170126/DsgnHellebSeqB7876s_497x330.jpg)
![DsgnHelleLiriBoxA7078s.jpg](/media/170133/DsgnHelleLiriBoxA7078s_497x330.jpg)
![DsgnLirBoxwHellB7869s.jpg](/media/170140/DsgnLirBoxwHellB7869s_497x330.jpg)