Today I went to the opening of the fine Richmond nursery, Phoenix Perennials. I went with one intention which was to buy if they had it (they did) Arenaria balearica (Corsican Mint). Somehow the tons of it that grew between our path stones in our Kerrisdale garden did not make it to Kits. When you step on this tiny plant or pass your hand on it. Alas! Arenaria balearica is not the true Corsican Mint is Mentha requenii. It is far more fragrant.

But when I saw Helleborus ‘Ice N’Roses’ I knew I had to buy it. Rosemary would have noticed it immediately. As I wrote in this recent blog, the face of a helleborus is the face of Rosemary.

And of course Rosemary would have noticed that the nice Hebe 'Shiraz' had the same intense violet/red colour of the Hellebore. I bought it!

Rosemary-Hellebore-Sábato- Van Gogh 

Helleborus 'Ice N'Roses' & Hebe 'Shiraz' 4 March 2025