Here's a list. Depending on your geographical location, shipping may be less expensive at one or the other. Here is a link that might be useful: helpmefind Heritage

MendocinoRose -- I don't see any way here to private message or email you. But yes, thanks! It's all a volunteer effort, so I can't offer postage, etc., but if you'd like to contribute, please email me (mmanners@flsouthern.edu) and we'll make arrangements. Thanks! Rosefolly -- I did email you. Malcolm

1. They report that the Royal Heritage tm strain will bloom up to 5 months in some climates. Listed as USDA 4-8 and needing well-drained, moisture-retentive soil, and can even thrive in clay. My nursery is on extremely heavy clay and whilst it takes a season for the plants to establish, after they have done so they do thrive. Well drained but moisture retentive soil - if anyone has this, I haven't met them! Hellebores will do OK in pretty much any soil. I've grown them in soil which is flooded regularly during flowering time and they are OK with that too. Don't believe all you read in the books or magazines. Most articles (at least in the UK) are written by literary prostitutes hired to write such articles - they are NOT experts on the genus. 2. Are these truely some of the best Helleborus x hybridus strains offered in the nursery trade today? I agree with Pam. I would probably be a little more blunt though and say an outright no. Pine Knot are at the forefront and Northwest Gardens also offer superb plants. 3. I recently purchased three different ones that are supposed to be the Royal Heritage strain. One blooms almost black, and another blooms redish but later changes to an almost dark pink. both of those two produce stems and leaves looking rather greenish with slight suggestions of yellowish coloring on the just emerging leaves. You are seeing the variability present in the H. x hybridus group. 4. The third plant purchased is supposed to still be from the Royal Heritage strain, but the coloring and texture of both that plant's leaves and stems look entirely different. supposedly, the blooms of this plant will emerge green and fade to white. But the leaves currently appear to be an almost gray to blue shade of green and the leaf stems are red. As above. 5. The drastic difference in the appearance of my 3rd plant makes me wonder if it really is part of the Royal Heritage strain. I detest the use of the word strain in relation to hybrid hellebores. Not a dig at you at all, Katrina. It doesn't make any sense. One 'strain' generally isn't distinguishable from another, so the term 'strain' is rendered useless. 6. Does such stem and folliage coloring differences truely occur in RH strains, or is it more likely my red stemmed plant is not true to its Royal Heritage tm Stain Lenten Rose nursery label? It occurs in hybrids grown all around the world. Forget the name and enjoy the plant. Pam, I've enjoyed you recent posts - you are a breath of fresh air. Are you expecting a good spring with your hellebores next year?

I'm in Sonoma, my temperatures are probably similar to San Jose, but not as hot as Napa or Gilroy. In general, compared to other roses, David Austin's roses are water hogs in our climate; especially when the flowers are opening. In hot summer temps the flowers will shrivel and melt if not given enough water. They also require steady water after the flowers are done to coax the next buds to develop or the flower size will shrink in half. You will notice a difference when the roots get deep enough to reach the underground water table. For heavy flower production, they also like to be fed, a lot. Once your plants get about knee height or taller any rose fertilizer will do until you find your favorite brand, but small first year bands or gallons from heirloom will get fertilizer burn if you're not careful. If you must feed small plants, go organic with fish emulsion or use liquid fertilizer with NPK in the single digits (follow the orchid growers' mantra: feed weakly weekly). Because I have gophers, I generally pot bands up to #1 gallons and then #5 gallons their first year before putting them in the ground in wire baskets. After your Austins get established and grow enormous, look into summer pruning to get more flowers.