I‘ve bought yet another plant after saying I was tired of my houseplants. I pounced on this forced hyacinth in bud while grocery shopping. I didn’t force any hyacinths myself this year because I was short of funds and many of the bulbs I tried to force last year went moldy on me. But right now I am enjoying the fragrance of this one, and I have another hyacinth glass for my collection in the bargain.
We have been having a roller-coaster kind of winter with sub-zero Fahrenheit temperatures and inches of snow, followed by spring-likes thaws and rain. Back and forth, back and forth, like some kind of sick pendulum.
There is nothing to be done except to expose oneself to as many living plants as possible, preferably thriving plants. That is where I am falling down. The ‘HGC Jacob’ hellebore that was my previous yield to temptation is putting out lots of flowers, but the leaves keep turning yellow on me.
As a matter of fact, I already gave it one trim about ten days ago. Believe me, after bring back Josef Lemper from the brink of death, I am being very careful not to overwater. As a matter of fact, I am starting to wonder if I should be watering a bit more often. It is in a south facing window in a cool room. I don’t know what else to do for it. Any suggestions?Inspired by the words of Elizabeth Lawrence, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year,” Carol of May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers from all over the world publish what is currently blooming in their gardens, and leave a link in Mr. Linky and the comments of May Dreams Gardens.
I need to expand my winter plant growing…
I am a firm believer in keeping plants inside! The greenery can be so uplifting, especially in these dreary winter months. Thanks for the great post!
Loved this post! People always think winter is going to be dreary, and I tell them that all you need to do is some interior landscaping to cheer you right back up, even if it’s just buying a new houseplant!
I can almost smell that hyacinth.
Hellebore advice – since the new leaves come as the plant is flowering, having the old leaves turn yellow is normal. In the garden they should be cut off because the look ratty. I agree with the comment that it probably isn’t happy with the temps and the lack of light inside. Give it warm days outside and if you can just harden it off hand have it live out there until you can plant it. I put these in containers outside and leave them there all winter (z5-6) and they are fine and blooming. They go into the ground when the pansies go into the container. It is not a fragile thing- tough, tough, tough
I’m very tempted by the pots of in bloom daffodils in the stores this week. I bought 2 big pots of the teensy ones on sale at Lowes after Easter a few years ago, and last spring they were so beautiful, coming up all over the garden.
As for at home, my Christmas cactus is still blooming, but that is it.
I have the same hellebore as you and it looks the same. I trimmed mine, too, when I couldn’t look at those unsightly leaves any longer. It is on the floor of a cool greenhouse and seems/looks? happier now. I think it is a natural process for hellebore leaves to yellow and be replaced. Since these plants were forced, who knows exactly where they think they are in the natural order of time. I predict both plants will make it until spring when they can be planted in the ground. I’m enjoying it since I forgot to take the amaryllis out of the basement which are usually starting to bloom right now.
I’ve resisted the urge to buy anything blooming during my shopping so far, but I may have to break down soon. No advice on your hellebore–it looks so much better than my anemic houseplants!
I can only hope the hyacinths I potted up will look 1/4 as nice! You were smart to buy it. With all your houseplant buys I detect a bit of cabin fever?
I have no hellebore advice. I would put it outside whenever the temperatures get just over freezing. Might as well put the yo-yo weather to work since I bet it’s just not happy with the lower light and little air flow and warm dry air….. but again I’m only guessing.
Who said: ‘Life’s too short to stuff a mushroom’? Well I think life’s too short to force hyacinths. They are as cheap as chips to buy all ready in bud. Why bother going to all that trouble and worrying about when to get them out and then finding they’ve gone mouldy?
Chloris
If it’s something you don’t care to do, then of course it’s better to buy them already forced. But you will get a better selection of color if you buy your own bulbs from a reputable dealer, and you then have the pleasure of watching them grow. It all depends on whether it is the process or the end result which gives you more pleasure.
I love the hyacinth glass! I am going to troll my own grocery stores and look for a few forced bulbs (and hellebore, which I’ve never seen here!).
jess | Quaintrelle
I wonder if your Hellebore would benefit from some Epsom salts. I’ve often read that this is a cure for yellowing leaves – although for houseplants I’m not so sure. It might be worth looking into.
It’s a pretty Hellebore and it would be a shame too loose it. Good luck with it.
I’m imagining the heavenly smell of that hyacinth and envying you. I wonder if my grocery store has any?
I don’t blame you for succumbing to the lure of that hyacinth Kathy…it surely lights up your winter.
I cannot offer any hellebore advice but I so understand why you succumbed to the blooming hyacinth. I’ve been able to resist such temptations … so far. Perhaps because I have jasmine blooming this Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day.
Kathy, This is a good candidate for your outside the window garden. Then you can watch it all winter. Maybe that is what you plan to do.
Betsy, you are right. The hellebore will be shoehorned into the cabin fever bed if I can keep it alive long enough for the soil to thaw out.
I’ve punked out this bloom day. The Christmas cactus is just looking too tired even though it has a few languid blossoms. I wish I had thought to force at least one hyacinth.
It’s not cheating to buy a forced hyacinth, Pat. That’s what I did!