Helleborus foetidus (Bear's Foot, Dungwort) January 9th

The stinking Hellebore - Helleborus foetidus - is not really as bad as it is made out to be - in it's name at least. It only stinks, when it is crushed. As with all Hellebores, the sap can be a skin irritant, so just don't crush it! Actually - and I do get quite near to these plants when I photograph them - I find the scent of the flowers quite pleasant!
Helleborus foetidus is a great plant for early colour in almost any part of the garden virtually any but the most acid of soils, sun or shade, damp or dry. Now there's an obliging thing.  It will grow to 80cm tall and about 40cm wide.  It should flower for most of Jan, Feb and into early March.
Can cause severe stomach problems if any part of the plant is eaten.

Helleborus foetidus is a herbaceous perennial, so lives from year to year, and can be divided to form new plants in late Autumn.

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