Plant of the season
Dedicated followers of fashion take note: according to my friendly local plant vendor, hellebores are having a moment. He’s a man who knows what’s hot and what’s not and apparently varieties with fresh, white flowers are just flying off the shelves. White is outstripping cream, dappled and pink-flushed flowers by some margin; the paler and more neutral the be er. I’m loving the hellebores in my garden right now. They’re mostly Helleborus
ericsmithii varieties (www. hawkesmillnurseries. co.uk, wholesale but supplied widely), and they’re growing big and juicy, a real tonic at this time of year. And I’m sure I can squeeze in a few white ones, too, as companions to my ever-stylish snowdrops!