Buy hellebore Helleborus × hybridus 'Harvington double red'

Helleborus × hybridus Harvington double red

hellebore

£16.99

Position: partial shade
Soil: heavy, neutral to alkaline soil
Rate of growth: average
Flowering period: February to April
Other features: all parts of the plant cause severe discomfort if ingested; the sap may cause skin irritation; dark greyish-green leaves give off an unpleasant odour when crushed
Hardiness: fully hardy

An unusual variety of hellebore, with gorgeous, nodding or outward-facing, sauce saucer-shaped red, double flowers with curved petals from late winter to early spring. The handsome evergreen foliage is leathery, deeply cut and dark green. This lenten rose is grown from seed, so colour variations may occur. It looks best planted in groups at the front of a partially shady mixed border, or under shrubs among spring-flowering bulbs. In former times, hellebores were planted close to cottage doors to prevent evil sprits from crossing the threshold.
Garden care: A top tip from the Crocus crew is to cut back the old leaves down to the ground in January or February. This will show off the new emerging flowers to best effect and it also helps to get rid of foliar diseases such as Hellebore leaf spot. Add lots of well-rotted leaf mould or organic matter to the planting hole. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the plant in autumn and provide a top-dressing of general fertiliser each spring.