Pink Frost with stamens
Pink Frost after stamens have dropped
Hellebores as Cut Flowers
Hellebores can be used as cut flowers, but there are a couple of tricks to make them work. We have successfully used these
tricks on H. x ballardiae, H. x ericsmithii and the most popular of cut flowers, H. x hybridus or Orientalis type, also known as
Lenten Rose.
The simplest and easiest way to enjoy cut Hellebores is to cut them within
an inch of the flower head and float the blossoms in a bowl. This is a
wonderful way to enjoy their intricate beauty without the problem of
wilted stems. If you want to display your Hellebores in a vase, you must
wait until the stamens drop before cutting. Stamens are the filaments
or threads at the center of the flower that carry the pollen. When the
flower reaches a certain age, these filaments drop off and the blossom
can then be cut and used in
arrangements like any other
flower. They will often last
for two weeks or longer and
can also be dried at this time.
This method is particularly
good for the Lenten Roses,
with their unique colors and
patterns. The main drawback
is that many varieties,
especially the newer hybrids,
change in color over the
bloom period. For a variety
Hellebore blossoms in a bowl
that changes, for example,
from cream to pink to rose, you may not be able to cut the flower while it
is still a light color.
A lovely bouquet of Hellebore Pink Frost
The only way to get the early-blooming colors of the H. x ballardiae,
H. x ericsmithii hybrids requires a large dose of trust and faith. These may be cut before the stamens drop. Put them in water,
set them aside for a day or two and ignore them. That’s the hard part because they will wilt, but after the waiting period is
over, they will stand up straight and behave like a normal cut flower.
Printed in the USA
Phone: 800-334-1719
www.skagitgardens.com
Rev date: 10/2013AJ