Lenten Rose

This particular one is Snow Dance (Helleborus  X Ericsmithii but also appears to be known as X ballardiae).  Called a Lenten Rose but a member of the Ranunculacea - buttercups and in this variety flowering from December to April.

As might be guessed we were on our monthly visit to the garden centre as we had reason to be in Carlisle including dropping in on an engraver we used to do business with when we had the Jewellers.

The weather wasn't good with heavy hail/snow showers but fortunately these Hellebores were under a roof so photography was relatively painless.  The Robin which frequents the Garden Centre was flitting about and I got some shots but decided on this as I like the shape of the centre of the flower.