Happy April! It has been a busy last few weeks– between Easter and my daughter’s 5th birthday, there hasn’t been a dull moment.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to do too much outside because of this crazy weather. Easter weekend was 72 degrees, and now it’s snowing and blowing! With the weather the way it is, this is the perfect time to add to the “Consider This” series I started at the beginning of the year. I think it is important to introduce and learn a little bit about the different plants you can put in your garden.

Spring is my new favorite season. I have always said that fall was, but my thought pattern has changed. This year, especially, since my winter was not one of the easiest, and I am not talking about the weather this time. I have really been anxious for new life, growth and sunshine. Lots of time outside. While the weather goes up and down, it’s still a little too drab for me outside, though signs of life are popping up a little more now than a couple of weeks ago.

I have been loving all the different floral bouquets that have been at my local grocery store. I usually end up picking up a bunch of tulips every year, but this year, I have been picking up every different flower that has been available!

I picked up calla lilies for my mother and mother-in-law for Easter (yes, and my daughter thought we should have one ourselves), a couple of mixed spring bouquets, and my pussy willows of course.

To my surprise, there was a potted flower at the store that also was something I have been reading a lot about this year. They are called Hellebores.

Hellebores have petal-like “sepals” that hold nectar.

It seems to be that Hellebores are the “It” plant of the 2016 growing season. Everywhere you turn around, there has been an article about them, and I can understand why. They are beautiful flowers with lovely delicate blooms.

Here are some things you need to know about Hellebores:

• They are also referred to as “winter rose”, “Christmas rose”, “Lenten rose”.
• They grow is zones 5a – 8b.
• They bloom in late winter, early spring, usually around Lent.

This plant is an excellent addition to your garden because:

• It starts blooming in late winter, early spring. An important step in the direction of having an all-season garden!
• They are hardy. Despite their delicate look, they can handle whatever comes their way!

Did you buy one in your local grocery store like I did? You can put it in the ground!

• Wait until the threat of frost is gone in your area of the world. You can plant them at the beginning of your growing season.

Consider Hellebores for your landscape. It’s one of the few plants that gives some life to the end of winter and that drab time in early spring before everything starts blossoming. You will be glad you did!