This year’s mild winter has our perennial garden slightly confused (again). While daffodils have put on their usual early show to brighten the drab landscape, some of our salvia plants are in full bloom. Meanwhile, the petite white flowers of our blackfoot daisy are playing peekaboo with the layers of leaf mulch in the rock garden. But it’s the hellebores that make us happy. Also known as Lenten roses (bloom time typically occurs during the six-week period leading up to Easter), hardy hellebores are a welcome sight this time of year with their dark green leaves and ruffled flowers. We trim away freeze damage on the greenery and delight in the discovery that they’ve reseeded and spread. Other than planting these low-growing perennials in light shade and crossing our fingers that they don’t drown in heavy spring rains, hellebores are low maintenance. They love rich compost, tolerate drought quite well, and the attractive flowers last for weeks. Hellebores are only available at the nurseries for a short while, and quart pots can be pricey. But they’re worth it. Plant them now for a brighter winter garden next year. — Meda Kessler