White Hellebore

My green hellebore has been 'in flower (probably bracts rather than flowers)' for a while, but this is the first sweet proper hellebore flower to appear this year. Some say you shouldn't even smell a hellebore, the poison in it is so strong. Hippocrates famously reported using it as a medicine for purging, but I would not try it personally. There are many historical reports of deaths due to hellebore poisoning, even - allegedly - Alexander the Great. It's also said that Native Americans used it in a ceremony to choose the next chief. The man whose stomach withstood the purging being the one chosen for his strength and fitness to rule others. Hmmmm.

What a lovely WARM afternoon in the garden. Planted some Lily of the Valley and a new rosemary. For the first time this year, tea outside. And it's only the beginning of February!