HELLEBORES

(Helleborus niger or H. orientalis, Christmas rose or Lenten rose; vase life, up to 1 month.)

I have developed rather a short fuse with cut hellebores after too many wilting disasters, so now I prefer to use them in potted form. Available from garden nurseries and markets, they are great indoor plants and make a wonderful addition to your winter flower collection.

As many potted hellebores as you have containers

A few large handfuls of moss, available from florists

Ceramic swan vases or similar (there is something particularly serene about a flotilla of these white china birds combined with the luminous white-petalled plants)

1| for each plant, place your fingers carefully around the base of the flower stems, resting on the soil, then turn the pot upside down and tap the bottom so that the plant and soil gently fall out as one, into your hand.

2| repot the plants into the swan vases. if the soil base is too large to fit comfortably into the vase, gently shake off some of the soil first.

3| Carefully cover the soil with moss. Keep the plants well watered, out of full sun and in a coolish place, and they should flower early into spring and possibly beyond.

4| When the hellebores have finished flowering, replant them in the garden, in a slightly shady, damp spot, and they should return to life again next year.