I've recently bought seeds from Plant World Seeds and sown them as they suggest. As an optimist (and 70) I hope they don't take that long to flower. Next year you could try an NGS open garden or might you have a local Hardy Plant Society?
Just an update to say that my new Harvington Hellebores (four beautiful varieties- six plants in total) arrived from Twelve Nunns this evening. These really are the best-packed plants I have received from any nursery in this country. They look very ready to be planted out and showered with love. Can't wait!
If you are any where near the West Midlands, Ashwoods is absolutely the best strains available. Yes they are expensive. Even the seedlings I have raised off of them are great.
The two in my hand have dark backs, they are raised from seeds off the neon strain. All the flowers are from seed raised plants, The seed taken off my Ashwood hybrids. ( A car boot full will set you back a couple of hundred pounds. ) They take about three years from seed to flower.
I agree that it is easier to buy the plants and see what you are getting. I have also found that Hellebores are not the easiest plants to grow from seed. They can be difficult to germinate (although the ones I have in the ground self-seed everywhere without problems) and difficult to keep as tiny plants...and they stay tiny for ages.
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I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I will research Hardy Plant societies. Thanks for the tip!