The three oldest Hellebores in my garden were planted so long ago I don't have an id card for them. They are all Royal Heritage Strain developed by John Elsley, who was at Wayside Gardens at the time. They have always been the biggest clumps and the earliest bloomers. They were planted in a triangle under a Washington Hawthorn tree that came down a number of years ago. A tiny Carolina Silverbell tree was put in as a replacement. It's centered in the opening among the evergreens.
Last fall I decided that I would move two of these Hellebores. They were all next to a main path and visually overshadowed everything planted behind them. I decided I would leave one where it was and move the other two plants behind the Silverbell. Essentially I moved the wide base of the Hellebore triangle so it now faces the fence with the point at the path. Previously it had been the other way around. Somehow in those warm sunny days I neglected to remember that I had just moved my early Hellebores into a spot shaded by a fence where the snow melts last.
Who ever thinks about the "law of unintended consequences" when gardening." Certainly not me — which is how I brilliantly moved plants from a perfect location into a spot that is much less so. I assume these old Hellebores will recover from the transplant and will arrive as usual one of these days. But they may no longer by the true harbinger of spring in my garden. Rather they've become the harbinger of unintended consequences, reminding me to think my plans all the way through before I start digging.
Oh well, you can always move them again this fall if you desire earlier blooms. This thinking thing you mentioned...I tried it once, hurt my head. Gave up. Feel much better now. (No brain, no pain.)
Posted by: Peter/Outlaw | Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 09:30 AM
I've made bone-headed changes in my garden too. It's so frustrating when you ultimately realize what you've done. I hope the Hellebores survive!
Posted by: Alison Conliffe | Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 10:15 AM
Ugh. I have a whole series "learn from my mistakes" on my blog because of things I've done like this.
Posted by: Loree / danger garden | Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 11:19 AM
Always nice to know one is not alone in doing these things.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 01:09 PM
Your poor hellebores. I bet they will forgive you. I certainly know the feeling of doing something in the garden that after a short while I wondered just what was I thinking.
Posted by: Lisa at Greenbow | Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 03:33 PM
Maybe it will be nice to have a few late hellebores? Of course by then so much will be coming into flower they might not be appreciated as much...
Posted by: Frank | Friday, March 30, 2018 at 08:46 PM