Last night, there came a frost, which has
done great damage to my garden.... It is sad that Nature will play such tricks
on us poor mortals, inviting us with sunny smiles to confide in her, and then,
when we are entirely within her power, striking us to the heart.
~Nathaniel Hawthorne
In my line of work, every year when the hellebores emerge their beautiful
flowers, I hear of discontent from folks who despair of the downward facing
flowers as if it were a flaw of nature.
I put it to you that this is not "a problem" but a purpose.
The stems are not weak, as some would suppose they are. The stems are delicate
yet strong. They bend not because they can't bear the heavy weight of the
flower, but turn purposely to point the flower down so to protect the precious
pollen and nectar from the elements by the petals enveloping them. At the very
curve, the extra strengthening tissue encircling the stem can often be seen. It
is strength in the bend, not a floppy weakness. It stabilizes the flower in its
perfect, protective position.
You will see this protective habit with many winter flowering species, a few being snowdrops, some early flowering species tulips, and some early jonquils.
Hybridizing has tried to "correct" the downfacing flower in some
cultivars making them less useful to wildlife, for the pollen and nectar can
become spoiled when exposed in winter’s volatile weather patterns.
Why not the crocus?
Crocus close themselves in adverse weather and at night when no insects will be
looking for the pollen and nectar. They open again in the sun when the
insects are foraging.
Up facing species tulips will open and close with the weather as well.
Purpose, not problem.
To truly enjoy the beauty of nature, I look for purpose in the design.
It is infinitely more satisfying than focusing on a perceived negative trait that you don't understand, don't you agree?
