It’s winter here in the Southern Piedmont though the 65 degrees today deny it; the landscape is still grey, brown and tan. Experience, and the calendar, give me hope though—spring is coming! The first harbinger is our Lenten roses. They are blooming true to their name since Lent begins tomorrow. Though easily overlooked since they hang their pink or white (even almost red) heads down, Hellebores are beautiful.

They multiply readily with lots of large palmate leaves that stay evergreen—a bonus unless you want them to share space. They love shade that most other plants can’t tolerate, so that probably won’t be a problem. Lenten roses take practically no care so they’re easy to live with.

Take heart, spring is coming!