Hellebore

As I am writing this article, one lonesome pot of yellowish-green hellebores has risen from the dead today on my balcony. In the last 10-day stretch of warmth and heat without rain, I had forgotten to water them. That little splash of water has done the trick, and they are all beautiful—just before the season will soon end.

I remember the first time I had a run in the nearby park, where there is a sea of them in many colours. Filled with heat from running and sweat dripping down, yet with cold breezes swirling around me, it was much healthier not to stop—yet I did. I stopped to inhale the beauty of these flowers I adore so much but had no possibility to grow before, back in Latvia. I filmed them, added quite a few shots to my camera, and happily left. I did the same every time I went running—and I still do, as their colour and shape just mesmerise me, and not only me.

Hellebores (Helleborus species) are cherished for many reasons. One is their beauty, and the second, most probably, is that early blooming period—just between winter and spring.

Dating back to ancient times, they have derived their name from the Ancient Greek term meaning "injure food," referring to the times when they were commonly used as poison while also being used to treat various conditions such as madness, cholera, gout, and high blood pressure.

Edibility of Hellebores

Taking the above into consideration, it is safe to say that hellebores are not safe for consumption. They should not be put on cakes as decorations, and most certainly not added to salads.

Keeping in a Vase

When lucky enough to select them yourself, choose mature blooms with forming or fully formed seed pods. Then use a sharp knife to make an incision along the side of the stems before placing them in water.

Water. Place the stems in cool water for 12 to 24 hours to allow them to hydrate properly.

Vase. Always use a clean vase filled with cool water and change it every 2–3 days.

Best place. As they grow in cooler seasons of the year, they prefer to be in cooler rooms in the house, mostly away from direct sunlight.

Season

As with every living "creature", the season depends on the country. But in France, hellebores bloom from winter to early spring, with the peak period from December to March—sometimes running into April.