Helleborus thibetanus - 2017

That's a beauty Andrew, shame it is not more widely grown.

Very pretty Andrew.

What a beauty.

Its gorgeous ...

Sbg - the flowers are small, it blooms so early they will often be damaged by the weather, and it is a bit demanding, so I don't think it will ever become a popular one to grow.

The stripes are interesting. Does it produce viable pollen? A bit of hybridisation maybe?

Sue - this is the first time since I started growing it that the flowers have not been damaged by the weather, but there don't appear to be any pollinators around yet. Maybe I'll have to get out there with a small artist's paintbrush.

That's a shame as small varieties have a place, well they would with me. :o)
good luck with the paint brush :o)

What about putting some pollen onto a H. orientalis or H. x hybridus see if that will produce seed?

My other hellebores are barely through the ground yet. But if this is still in flower when they open theirs, it's certainly worth a try.

Andrew, some pollen will last a little if wrapped in cling film and put into the fridge, not weeks though.