St Peters RC Church Hamilton

This gorgeous helleborus, the Golden Lotus,

Blooming in the depths of winter

However cold the weather.

Amidst a collar of glossy foliage

Lusciously shiny, an evergreen.

The flower can be seen nestled in between.

Blooms of full February beauty

Which flower until mid spring

As attractive as any in summer.

And perhaps in fact, more outstanding,

Because of the lack of competitors.

Flourishing out of doors in winter’s rigours,

This flower, the helleborus, grows with vigour

Across a range of colour

Including one which is incredibly rare:

The ‘Helleborus Golden Lotus’

Glistening brightly in the sunlight over a winter border.

Each lotus like bloom is lovely

Changing from a buttery to a warm yellow.

Some have a red picotee edge,

Others boast a curiosity of speckled markings,

Whilst a few remain purely yellow.

An easy to grow full hardy perennial,

No winter garden with its good reputation,

Should be without the recommendation of

This gorgeous helleborus, the Golden Lotus,

Rather rare, but all the more special for that!

Lord, often the generosity of Your love provides for us in abundance. Occasionally a speciality is more rare for a variety of reasons. Has this particular flower been difficult to rear I wonder? If so, there is extra reason to thank You! We must express our gratitude, not only for the golden yellow beauty in the flower shape and colour, but the plantsman or plantswoman’s skill in cross pollinating other strains of helleborus, hoping to gain new individuality. Their skilled efforts and good use of time is rewarded by this more unusual dainty yellow specimen. It is so beautiful it causes us to say ‘thank You for winter’. There was a time when I thought I would never be saying that. But You have opened my eyes of faith and taught me to think differently. Thank You for everything that You cause to happen and accomplish. Amen.