I love the photos of the witch hazel and moss with snow on them. They're the sort of pictures I enjoy taking in Winter - miniature worlds within a world. Thank you for sharing your garden through the seasons with us. It's always a pleasure to read your newsletter.
Second year of no winter tidy and it’s very revealing. Lots of current posts saying cut hellebore leaves to reduce disease, but it feels to me like I’d be taking away protection?? Makes more sense to do later to me.
Yes, I've always thought this. It also deprives them of their energy making parts for a few months, which doesn't feel great - especially because although the days are shorter and sun lower, there is less tree and shrub cover allowing more light than usual to the hellebores. Any really affected leaves I might remove, but leaves that look OK or are only a little affected, leave.
Yeah maybe when the new leaves come through, to your original point though I don’t think you have to cut off old leaves, only this with blotches. I love them too ☺️
I love the photos of the witch hazel and moss with snow on them. They're the sort of pictures I enjoy taking in Winter - miniature worlds within a world. Thank you for sharing your garden through the seasons with us. It's always a pleasure to read your newsletter.
Thank you Judith :) yes I like the miniature worlds in winter too, it's something to look forward to in these months
Second year of no winter tidy and it’s very revealing. Lots of current posts saying cut hellebore leaves to reduce disease, but it feels to me like I’d be taking away protection?? Makes more sense to do later to me.
Yes, I've always thought this. It also deprives them of their energy making parts for a few months, which doesn't feel great - especially because although the days are shorter and sun lower, there is less tree and shrub cover allowing more light than usual to the hellebores. Any really affected leaves I might remove, but leaves that look OK or are only a little affected, leave.
Ah yes I agree. Ok I’m going to remove any damaged leaves. They are my favourite plant.
In spring the leaves pretty much flop on the ground and it feels obvious to cut them back?
Yeah maybe when the new leaves come through, to your original point though I don’t think you have to cut off old leaves, only this with blotches. I love them too ☺️