On January 4, 2020 little tight hellebore buds were tucked in close to the earth. I just checked on them yesterday and they seemed content to stay hidden. Today they have awakened.
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)
Yesterday the lemony scent of daphne odora drifted through the air and with today’s breezes the effect is more pronounced.
Daphne odora (Winter daphne)
Daphne odora (Winter daphne)
pbmGarden 
It is a wonderful time when the Hellebores open up! Daphnes are such useful winter shrubs especially because of their scent.
The hellebores have cheered me up, as has the lovely daphne fragrance Malc. Hope you’re doing well.
How lovely to see your hellebores awakening Susie! 😃
Thanks Cathy. I’m excited about the hellebores. It’s turned cold again but once the hellebores open I feel comforted that other flowers are on the way. I think about your Hepatica. I don’t grow it but saw it has been spotted nearby here already.
Love your Daphne, it has so many flowers on it, the perfume must be fantastic! Hellebores are so wonderful for any bees that wake up early and want a quick fix of nectar, humans like them too!
Daphne is blooming well this year. That light, lemony fragrance is amazing. I’ll check the hellebores for bees. Glad to know that.
It adds magic to a day when you turn a corner to find buds have flowered!
Indeed Kris. Surprised me how tall the hellebores grew in one day.
Ooh, envious! They are so lovely, Susie. Is this the normal time for them to flower or are they early?
Both the daphne and hellebores are pretty much on time. Once had hellebores in December so I began checking early, but that was a long time ago.
Two beautiful plants that bring a smile.
Yes, they’re wonderful to brighten up winter days.
The flowers are beautiful. It’s snowy here, so it will be awhile until we have flowers.
Thanks Sheryl. Your grandmother’s diary looks interesting. I plan to check it out further. I was given a trove of old family photos and made a website a few years back, so I’m interested in your experience.
Goodness! If my hellebores looked like that, I would not mind wasting so much effort on them. They had always been here, and they ‘survive’ below the redwoods, but do not like the climate much. Daphne doesn’t look so good either.