The Christmas Rose, Latin name Helleborus niger, also known as the hellebore, is currently in full flower in our garden on April 1. In my experience this flower has never really deserved its Christmas appellation, usually flowering in January, February and/or March.
I certainly don't recall it in bloom as late as April. It's probable that its shady location has delayed its flowering. Whatever the reason, it is putting on a good show in a spot where later flowering perennials usually appear. These straightforward photographs show the characteristics of the plant, but don't make a photograph to compare with this shot I took indoors of a hellebore from which I cut the flowers.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2
