Spring gardening season -- it's here!

[natvrabit]

I'm looking for shade-loving flowers/periennials for the spring - something other than impatiens.  I hear the hellebore family is a good bet. Anybody know anything about hellebores?  Where can I get them around here?  Other periennial suggestions for shade? Thanks!

http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=site

Just key in perennials in search. Great listings for both sun and shade. Also same for annuals!
Hellebores are kicking in bloom right now. Great evergreen plants, but won't give you long season of blooms like the annuals do. Deer don't eat them at least!

[seavey]

I absolutely love my hellebores.  Mine are in part sun here but up north I had them bloom practically in the dark.     Other spring shade bloomers might be columbine and bleeding heart. 

[natvrabit]

I absolutely love my hellebores.  Mine are in part sun here but up north I had them bloom practically in the dark.     Other spring shade bloomers might be columbine and bleeding heart. 

Love mine too Seavey, nice to see greenery and flowers in winter!
Snowball, some other great shade selections are Pulmonaria, Bergenia, Lobelia, Heuchera, Chrysogonum, Polemonium. All do well in this area. Hosta's are nice until the deer find them!

[Snowball]

Wow, guys - thanks!  Great info. If I find hellebores (and others) now, should I plant them now?

[chathamgardener]

Hot diggiity, finally some decent weather! I spent yesterday in my little greenhouse sowing vegetable, herb, and flower seeds. I start later than some folks, because I live in a cold pocket. It's too much of a gamble to plant out tomatoes before May in my garden, barring heat waves that I hope don't happen.

As usual, I've sowed too many seeds, and if they germinate as enthusiastically as they usually do, my friends will reap the green benefits. But then, I think all serious gardeners share plants. We gotta spread the love (and find good homes for the extras). 

[natvrabit]

Hot diggiity, finally some decent weather! I spent yesterday in my little greenhouse sowing vegetable, herb, and flower seeds. I start later than some folks, because I live in a cold pocket. It's too much of a gamble to plant out tomatoes before May in my garden, barring heat waves that I hope don't happen.

As usual, I've sowed too many seeds, and if they germinate as enthusiastically as they usually do, my friends will reap the green benefits. But then, I think all serious gardeners share plants. We gotta spread the love (and find good homes for the extras). 

What a contrast this week from recent temps! And SUN!!!!! Some rain on its way at end of the week however.
My earlier veggies seedings are coming along nicely, meaning germinated, peeking out at me and like myself, stretching up toward the sun!
I do my tomatoes later than some also, they just don't like a chilly night at all.

[belle]

I have tulips peeking out. these are beds infested with voles and mice. two years ago, when I planted in a frenzy I put rocks in place, underground, to discourage predation.

it worked! for the first time ever I am getting repeat tulips!

[natvrabit]

I have tulips peeking out. these are beds infested with voles and mice. two years ago, when I planted in a frenzy I put rocks in place, underground, to discourage predation.

it worked! for the first time ever I am getting repeat tulips!

A bagged product out there (Permatill), that helps with this issue (and those who don't readily have small stones to cast into the beds.

[belle]

I have tulips peeking out. these are beds infested with voles and mice. two years ago, when I planted in a frenzy I put rocks in place, underground, to discourage predation.

it worked! for the first time ever I am getting repeat tulips!

A bagged product out there (Permatill), that helps with this issue (and those who don't readily have small stones to cast into the beds.

I put big, narrow stones in, to define the beds, the idea is to turn the critters.

[natvrabit]

I have tulips peeking out. these are beds infested with voles and mice. two years ago, when I planted in a frenzy I put rocks in place, underground, to discourage predation.

it worked! for the first time ever I am getting repeat tulips!

A bagged product out there (Permatill), that helps with this issue (and those who don't readily have small stones to cast into the beds.

Yes, either, they (varmints!) won't burrow through it easily. Just can't be skimp on the application of the stone deterrent, or it won't be effective.

I put big, narrow stones in, to define the beds, the idea is to turn the critters.

[seavey]

Wow, guys - thanks!  Great info. If I find hellebores (and others) now, should I plant them now?

I saw some hellebores at Southern States Carrboro yesterday.  They were not cheap.  Dunno, really, about planting times but I'd guess it's fine.  One web site says:

•Hellebores main growth period is from about mid Autumn to mid Spring. This is also the best time to plant, divide, move and feed Hellebores. http://www.postofficefarmnursery.com.au/growing.html

[Snowball]

Thanks, Seavey - very helpful.
On a similar note, I spoke with a landscape guy today. He said plant no annuals until at least April 15. One or more frosts are likely.

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