Helleborus × hybridus
Lenten rose hellebore
Also known as Helleborus orientalis, this gorgeous perennial produces pretty, pendent or outward-facing, saucer-shaped flowers, which come in a wide range of colours.
It is a bit of a lucky dip as to which flower each plant will produce, but they are all lovely, and they will all appear from February to April. They make attractive ground cover plants for areas of dappled shade under deciduous trees and shrubs and they prefer a heavy, neutral to alkaline soil.
Unfortunately we can't guarantee what colour the flowers will be on each plant, but they are predominantly a range of pink shades.
It is a bit of a lucky dip as to which flower each plant will produce, but they are all lovely, and they will all appear from February to April. They make attractive ground cover plants for areas of dappled shade under deciduous trees and shrubs and they prefer a heavy, neutral to alkaline soil.
Unfortunately we can't guarantee what colour the flowers will be on each plant, but they are predominantly a range of pink shades.
How to care for Helleborus × hybridus:
Add lots of well-rotted leaf mould or organic matter to the planting hole. Cut the old leaves back down to the ground in January or February as this will show off the new emerging flowers to best effect. It will also help to get rid of foliar diseases such as Hellebore leaf spot.
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. Cut off the seed heads to prevent inferior seedlings colonising.
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. Cut off the seed heads to prevent inferior seedlings colonising.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.45m
Eventual spread:
0.45m
Position:
Light shade
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
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This perennial is semi-evergreen so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
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Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten; skin irritant
