Winter Hellebores

Although we get to indulge in snowman building and treating ourselves to midday hot chocolates, we aren't the only ones who enjoy the colder weather. Our hellebores were spotted blooming just before the snowstorm made it's way into Fredericksburg. These beautiful pink flowers are a variety commonly known as Lenten Rose. It derives it's name from its bloom time which is normally during the season of Lent. Hellebores are one of the four classic poisons, together with nightshade, hemlock, and aconite. In fact, the name hellebore comes from the Greek "elein" meaning to injure, and "bore" meaning food. 

Like most members of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, hellebores are notoriously difficult to start from seed. Luckily these bashful and beautiful flowers are very easy to propagate and will spread to fill a space. Hellebores are native to southern and central Europe, and from Slovenia to Macedonia.

Keep an eye out for these pink flowers and any other blooms that you might find over the next couple months of cold weather.