Helleborus foetidus

With the recent, but rapidly disappearing, spell of warmth we've had, at least a few of the earliest bloomers have stirred, perhaps trying to get a jump on the season. This is, of course, ill-considered, since there's a serious cold snap in the offing, and, the recent foray into the 50s notwithstanding, it's January. We will have a stretch of genuine winter weather, and if there's any lick of sense in your genes, you will plan accordingly. But I had to wonder about this hellebore, a pretty but, according to its Latin name, Helleborus foetidus, smelly plant. It seemed to be throwing all caution to the gathering wind chill and getting ready to actually blossom. I know it can't retract its flower stalk, so I did what I figured was the next best thing: I covered it with leaves for protection from the sub-zero temperatures in the forecast. Hopefully it will take the hint.