Once you see these beauties bloom in the dead of winter, you’ll long to plant more and more.
As a flower farmer, you can offer your clients and customers no greater delight throughout the cold season than a bouquet filled with hellebores.
Hellebores became all the rage in floral design years ago, and they’ve remained popular ever since, which is not surprising since flower farmers are always anxious for a beautiful bloom in the early season.
Hardy in zones 4 through 9, mixed hellebores give us flower farmers hope that spring is coming—and an opportunity to enjoy a late-winter show of color while we wait!
You can expect hellebores to bloom beginning in February and continuing through March. Be sure to take extra precautions when harvesting blooms to ensure a longer vase life. Before cutting for fresh bouquets, allow the center to mature fully. This helps prevent early wilt when tucked into your floral arrangement.
Also, when harvesting hellebores be sure to make a clean cut, being careful not to crush the cells in the tender stem. I prefer to use a knife to make that clean cut and then to split the stem at the bottom to allow for water absorption.
While buds are emerging, I like to cut off the old foliage. I know that sounds a bit brave, but believe me when I say hellebores won’t be too cold without their leaves. In fact, it seems to make new shoots and flowers really pop!
I hope I’ve inspired you to grow hellebores in your own garden for harvesting throughout the winter and early spring.
Happy Gardening!
-Pamela Anthony
Beehind Thyme Farm & Garden