What you see is new foliage.

I agree -- for x hybridus hellebores (or the so-called orientalis hybrids), flowers emerge on foliage-less stalks. They will be very obviously flower buds :-) It is possible that your plant may yet produce these - still pretty early in the season - but I'd suspect it is a bit too young.

Thanks, Now I know what to look for. It's an interesting plant, I'm sure to enjoy if I can find the patience.
Matt

This is what you need to look for.

{{gwi:634498}}

Taken 11th January 2011

Thanks Flora, I searched quite a while and failed to find a photo as good as yours of what I wanted to see. There are loads of already bloomed out photos.
Matt

Matt - bear in mind what zone I'm in. There is still time in z6 for yours to surprise you, although it is still quite young. Fingers crossed.

Well, it bloomed after all. Been watching for a while, it seems a little too weak to open. These came from the area in the Dec. photos.
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And another one bloomed!
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Matt

Very pretty! So great it bloomed for you. I have some in my yard I am trying to figure out as well. Will know what to look for better this next year now. Thanks!

A few days ago when I was raking leaves out of the flowerbeds, I discovered these...

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{{gwi:194691}}

{{gwi:194692}}

...and am very much looking forward to my first-ever blooms on my hellebore. Plants were set in the bed two years ago and I've let them get settled before expecting flowers. It would appear they're ready and I admit I'm looking forward to seeing flowers for the first time.

Did anyone start their hellebores from bareroots? I have some that I planted 3 years ago that are still single leaves with no sign of progress. The only thing that changed this year was that the foliage actually died back and reemerged so I'm hopeful that this is progress toward at least a few more leaves, but I have no idea.