Hellebores

The Hellebores in my garden are blooming.  These sweet, delicate-looking flowers belong to some seriously tough perennials.  

They do well in the dry shade under our giant oak trees, they are deer resistant, flower prolifically, and (best of all) flower early.  In my garden here in Southwestern Pennsylvania, I have seen them sending up flower stalks as early as New Year's Day.    

In addition to these two unknown varieties, I have an Ivory Prince and another unknown variety that blooms in a deep mauve shade.