Checking out a client's garden nearby in Connecticut—which had (like all client gardens, where the owners, by definition, have a life much apart from their gardens) been left to itself all Winter long—I was startled, no thrilled, by this irrepressible colony of "stinking hellebores."
This evergreen perennial must be disgusting to the taste, or poisonous as hell, or both, because deer leave it strictly along too. It can start blooming in December, continuing all Winter long despite getting covered by snow and ice. And withal, here it is happy as ever, with big heads of blossoms the color of granny-smith apples that are only at the very early stage of considering a fling with celadon.
The blossoms clusters are cuttable too, so you don't have to trudge out through the snow and into the cold to enjoy them.
I had this strategy at my house, planting a few stinking hellebores right along the pathway to my back door. But the plants pooped out. Judging by this energetic and completely self-confident client colony, this hellebore delights in full sun (which I didn't provide) and craves or even requires fabulous Winter drainage, which is always a question with my too-flat ground and occasional Winter floods. My rich heavy soil only makes the sketchy drainage worse. I just try again, giving this plant what it needs to thrive regardless if that location is near the door or even easily accessible in the Winter. A show this Winter-defiant, this "singing in the rain" is worthy of visit. It demands to be honored by a viewing that doesn't just entail but actually requires of we lowly humans a galoshes-and-heavy-coat trek. And by god I'll do so: honor this astounding plant with pleasure and with humility.
PS: That "stinking" hellebore name? A mystery to me. No stink anywhere near, on, or emanating from this beauty. Who knows otherwise? Thanks, truly, for your education.