The January Meeting 2001

Members were treated to a double feature on worthy plants to be associated with rhododendrons: Hostas by Carmen Varcoe, and Hellebores by Joe Harvey.

Hostas, we learned, are kind to gardeners, not just for their visual charms, but from their inherent solidarity against the forces of evil: rabbits, deer, slugs and the like. Carmen introduced and illustrated a broad spectrum of hostas in colours of blue, white, gold and creamy gold; of size Herculean and tiny; of design plain and variegated; of those sporting coloured petioles; of some bearing fragrant flowers. The breadth of choice which she presented awakened more than one listener to the understanding that there is much more to hosta life than those mundane green sprawls topped by insipid blue flowers drooping listlessly in the summer heat.

Hostas are pleased to reside in beds or containers; they flourish with proper moisture and can be selected for varying amounts of shade. They may be divided in spring (March to us), being sliced like a birthday cake: Carmen uses an old bread knife for the purpose. Or the diligent can dig them up and tease the roots apart for a seemingly more humane treatment.

Hellebores, being innately toxic, are similarly unfriendly to deer and slugs. They like a bit of clay in their soil and respond to a touch of lime in the hole in which they are planted. Since lime does not migrate laterally, it poses no threat to neighboring acid-craving rhodos. Their Mediterranean heritage has prepared them for happiness in sun and semi-sun, and a period of drought is taken in stride. But it is the dark season when they come to glory, with their brilliance set off by the sodden gloom of winter surrounds. There are two main groups of hellebores: those that have stems like foetidus, and those like orientalis, which do not. The ‘stemless’ should have their leaves cut back in the fall. This exposes the flowers which arise gracefully from the ground. The ‘stemmed’ group are conventional with flowers sharing their support with the leaves. The floral colour is provided by the sepals, and though the common varieties are a creamy white – the famous ‘Christmas-’ and ‘Lenten Roses’– Westerflisk is very red (mental note to get one), and H. lividus from Majorca is properly a bruised blood purple.

Joe Harvey has been vigorously crossing hellebores since he moved to Victoria, working enthusiastically to extend the ranges of size, colour and hardiness. We shall look forward to the continuing story of his labours and their fruits.

These eloquent presentations by Carmen and Joe would surely warrant the naming of Hostas and Hellebores as Companions of the Noble Order of Rhododendrons. (The Editor)