Hellebores, are one of my favorite perennials! They bloom for a long time-several weeks to months and flower in winter and early spring when we all need some cheering up! So many colors, flower forms and versatility you cannot go wrong with these beauties. The following is some of our favorites we grow at Zenith*, stop by and see what’s blooming now.
Helleborus Gold Collection® brings new life to winter and early spring-blooming Hellebores. Flowering the first year, they are long blooming, with lots of buds and blossoms. The large flowers are upward and outward facing, making it easy to appreciate their natural beauty. All varieties are no-fuss, reliable additions to modern gardens.
USES As improved genetics result in more color the first year, these varieties provide reliable and versatile off-season color. As long-lived perennials, they are deer resistant, making a great evergreen ground cover and good choice for shady borders. Outstanding in patio tubs or planters, they should be placed where their early flowers can be appreciated.
A PROGRESSION OF BLOOM Hellebore flowering is a natural progression: early in the period, colored buds appear, followed by a succession of open blossoms that age gracefully. By planting different varieties with overlapping bloom times, you can have color from December through March.
GARDENER TIPS
• Plant in moist but well-drained soil, rich in organic matter.
• Plant in part to full shade.
• Shelter from strong winter winds.
• Mulch to maintain summer moisture.
• As new hybrids offer disease resistant foliage, it is no longer necessary to remove old leaves in the spring.
Helleborus x ballardiae Gold Collection®
Merlin. Outward-facing, light pink to pink flowers mature to a deep cranberry. Very dark foliage with dark stems. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter-spring. Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: beds, borders & containers. Grows 12-15” tall by 24” Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Mulch to maintain summer moisture. USDA Hardiness Zone 5(-20º).
Pink Frost. Burgundy and white buds open light pink, maturing to burgundy red. Handsome, silvery green foliage. Bloom time: winter-spring. Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: beds, borders & containers. Grows 12-15” tall by 24” Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Mulch to maintain summer moisture. Remove old foliage in spring. USDA Hardiness Zone 5(-20º).
Cinnamon Snow. Pink buds open to creamy white flowers suffused with warm rose and cinnamon. Dark cinnamon rose petal reverse. Large blooms face outward. Handsome dark foliage. Deer resistant. Bloom time: winter. Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: beds, borders & containers. Grows 12-15” tall by 24” Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Mulch to maintain summer moisture. Can be used as a holiday indoor plant. Remove old foliage in spring. USDA Hardiness Zone 5(-20º).
Ivory Prince. Ivory flowers flushed pink, with green streaks. Shrublike, blue green foliage. Bloom time: winter-spring. Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: beds, borders & containers. Grows 12-18” tall by 24” Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Mulch to maintain summer moisture. USDA Hardiness Zone 4(-30º).
Madame Lemonnier. Large Pink flowers, free-blooming (blooms 1st season) . Blue green, compact foliage. Bloom time: winter-spring. Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: beds, borders & containers. Grows 18” tall by 18” Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Mulch to maintain summer moisture. USDA Hardiness Zone 4(-30º).
ORIENTALIS TYPE Known as the Lenten Rose, these glorious plants have flowers that vary from nodding to almost upright. Colors range from white to dark purplish blue. A small percentage of this Hellebore type blooms the first year, but these are so special, they are worth the wait! Winter Jewels® Series Hellebores are bred for excellence and reliability: for abundant flowers, clear colors, good foliage, vigor and disease resistance. Developed over decades from the best European stock, they continue to be selected and crossed for ever-better forms. This series of seed strains is marked by large nodding blooms with unique flower colors, some with unusual markings.Helleborus x hybridus Winter Jewels®
Berry Swirl Orientalis Type with Large, nodding, double flowers in shades of orchid. Dark green foliage. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter–spring, Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: welcome early blossoms in mixed perennial beds and borders; good understory planting. Prefers moist soil enriched with leaf mold or compost. Mulch for winter protection and summer moisture. Remove old leaves before new spring growth appears. Grows to 12-14 in by 24in spread, USDA Hardiness Zone 5(-20º)
Black Diamond Hellebore, Orientalis Type. Nodding blooms of nearly black-tinted slate, burgundy or red. Purple foliage matures to green. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter–spring, Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: welcome early blossoms in mixed perennial beds and borders; good understory planting. Prefers moist soil enriched with leaf mold or compost. Mulch for winter protection and summer moisture. Remove old leaves before new spring growth appears. Grows to 15-18 in by 22in spread, USDA Hardiness Zone 4(-30º)
Cherry Blossom Hellebore, Orientalis Type. Nodding white blooms freckled and veined with cherry red. Cherry center. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter–spring, Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: welcome early blossoms in mixed perennial beds and borders; good understory planting. Prefers moist soil enriched with leaf mold or compost. Mulch for winter protection and summer moisture. Remove old leaves before new spring growth appears. Grows to 18-22 in by 24in spread, USDA Hardiness Zone 4(-30º)
Cotton Candy Hellebore, Orientalis Type. Large nodding flowers in shades of light pink. Dark green foliage. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter–spring, Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: welcome early blossoms in mixed perennial beds and borders; good understory planting. Prefers moist soil enriched with leaf mold or compost. Mulch for winter protection and summer moisture. Remove old leaves before new spring growth appears. Grows to 12-14 in by 24in spread, USDA Hardiness Zone 5(-20º)
Painted Double Hellebore, Orientalis Type. Nodding, double blooms with white edge and densely spotted, burgundy center. Dark green foliage. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter–spring, Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: welcome early blossoms in mixed perennial beds and borders; good understory planting. Prefers moist soil enriched with leaf mold or compost. Mulch for winter protection and summer moisture. Remove old leaves before new spring growth appears. Grows to 15-18 in by 24in spread, USDA Hardiness Zone 4(-30º)
Peppermint Ice Hellebore, Orientalis Type. Large, double, light pink flowers with dark pink edge. Dark green foliage. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter–spring, Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: welcome early blossoms in mixed perennial beds and borders; good understory planting. Prefers moist soil enriched with leaf mold or compost. Mulch for winter protection and summer moisture. Remove old leaves before new spring growth appears. Grows to 18-22in by 24in spread, USDA Hardiness Zone 4(-30º)
Slate Double Hellebore, Orientalis Type. Nodding, double slate gray flowers, very floriferous . Dark green foliage. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter–spring, Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: welcome early blossoms in mixed perennial beds and borders; good understory planting. Prefers moist soil enriched with leaf mold or compost. Mulch for winter protection and summer moisture. Remove old leaves before new spring growth appears. Grows to 18-22 in by 24in spread, USDA Hardiness Zone 4(-30º).
Reference: www.skagitgardens.com
*not all varieties may be available, stock may vary
Helleborus Gold Collection® brings new life to winter and early spring-blooming Hellebores. Flowering the first year, they are long blooming, with lots of buds and blossoms. The large flowers are upward and outward facing, making it easy to appreciate their natural beauty. All varieties are no-fuss, reliable additions to modern gardens.
USES As improved genetics result in more color the first year, these varieties provide reliable and versatile off-season color. As long-lived perennials, they are deer resistant, making a great evergreen ground cover and good choice for shady borders. Outstanding in patio tubs or planters, they should be placed where their early flowers can be appreciated.
A PROGRESSION OF BLOOM Hellebore flowering is a natural progression: early in the period, colored buds appear, followed by a succession of open blossoms that age gracefully. By planting different varieties with overlapping bloom times, you can have color from December through March.
GARDENER TIPS
• Plant in moist but well-drained soil, rich in organic matter.
• Plant in part to full shade.
• Shelter from strong winter winds.
• Mulch to maintain summer moisture.
• As new hybrids offer disease resistant foliage, it is no longer necessary to remove old leaves in the spring.
Helleborus x ballardiae Gold Collection®
Merlin. Outward-facing, light pink to pink flowers mature to a deep cranberry. Very dark foliage with dark stems. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter-spring. Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: beds, borders & containers. Grows 12-15” tall by 24” Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Mulch to maintain summer moisture. USDA Hardiness Zone 5(-20º).
Pink Frost. Burgundy and white buds open light pink, maturing to burgundy red. Handsome, silvery green foliage. Bloom time: winter-spring. Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: beds, borders & containers. Grows 12-15” tall by 24” Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Mulch to maintain summer moisture. Remove old foliage in spring. USDA Hardiness Zone 5(-20º).
Cinnamon Snow. Pink buds open to creamy white flowers suffused with warm rose and cinnamon. Dark cinnamon rose petal reverse. Large blooms face outward. Handsome dark foliage. Deer resistant. Bloom time: winter. Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: beds, borders & containers. Grows 12-15” tall by 24” Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Mulch to maintain summer moisture. Can be used as a holiday indoor plant. Remove old foliage in spring. USDA Hardiness Zone 5(-20º).
Ivory Prince. Ivory flowers flushed pink, with green streaks. Shrublike, blue green foliage. Bloom time: winter-spring. Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: beds, borders & containers. Grows 12-18” tall by 24” Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Mulch to maintain summer moisture. USDA Hardiness Zone 4(-30º).
Madame Lemonnier. Large Pink flowers, free-blooming (blooms 1st season) . Blue green, compact foliage. Bloom time: winter-spring. Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: beds, borders & containers. Grows 18” tall by 18” Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Mulch to maintain summer moisture. USDA Hardiness Zone 4(-30º).
ORIENTALIS TYPE Known as the Lenten Rose, these glorious plants have flowers that vary from nodding to almost upright. Colors range from white to dark purplish blue. A small percentage of this Hellebore type blooms the first year, but these are so special, they are worth the wait! Winter Jewels® Series Hellebores are bred for excellence and reliability: for abundant flowers, clear colors, good foliage, vigor and disease resistance. Developed over decades from the best European stock, they continue to be selected and crossed for ever-better forms. This series of seed strains is marked by large nodding blooms with unique flower colors, some with unusual markings.Helleborus x hybridus Winter Jewels®
Berry Swirl Orientalis Type with Large, nodding, double flowers in shades of orchid. Dark green foliage. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter–spring, Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: welcome early blossoms in mixed perennial beds and borders; good understory planting. Prefers moist soil enriched with leaf mold or compost. Mulch for winter protection and summer moisture. Remove old leaves before new spring growth appears. Grows to 12-14 in by 24in spread, USDA Hardiness Zone 5(-20º)
Black Diamond Hellebore, Orientalis Type. Nodding blooms of nearly black-tinted slate, burgundy or red. Purple foliage matures to green. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter–spring, Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: welcome early blossoms in mixed perennial beds and borders; good understory planting. Prefers moist soil enriched with leaf mold or compost. Mulch for winter protection and summer moisture. Remove old leaves before new spring growth appears. Grows to 15-18 in by 22in spread, USDA Hardiness Zone 4(-30º)
Cherry Blossom Hellebore, Orientalis Type. Nodding white blooms freckled and veined with cherry red. Cherry center. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter–spring, Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: welcome early blossoms in mixed perennial beds and borders; good understory planting. Prefers moist soil enriched with leaf mold or compost. Mulch for winter protection and summer moisture. Remove old leaves before new spring growth appears. Grows to 18-22 in by 24in spread, USDA Hardiness Zone 4(-30º)
Cotton Candy Hellebore, Orientalis Type. Large nodding flowers in shades of light pink. Dark green foliage. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter–spring, Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: welcome early blossoms in mixed perennial beds and borders; good understory planting. Prefers moist soil enriched with leaf mold or compost. Mulch for winter protection and summer moisture. Remove old leaves before new spring growth appears. Grows to 12-14 in by 24in spread, USDA Hardiness Zone 5(-20º)
Painted Double Hellebore, Orientalis Type. Nodding, double blooms with white edge and densely spotted, burgundy center. Dark green foliage. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter–spring, Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: welcome early blossoms in mixed perennial beds and borders; good understory planting. Prefers moist soil enriched with leaf mold or compost. Mulch for winter protection and summer moisture. Remove old leaves before new spring growth appears. Grows to 15-18 in by 24in spread, USDA Hardiness Zone 4(-30º)
Peppermint Ice Hellebore, Orientalis Type. Large, double, light pink flowers with dark pink edge. Dark green foliage. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter–spring, Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: welcome early blossoms in mixed perennial beds and borders; good understory planting. Prefers moist soil enriched with leaf mold or compost. Mulch for winter protection and summer moisture. Remove old leaves before new spring growth appears. Grows to 18-22in by 24in spread, USDA Hardiness Zone 4(-30º)
Slate Double Hellebore, Orientalis Type. Nodding, double slate gray flowers, very floriferous . Dark green foliage. Deer resistant. Bloom time: late winter–spring, Exposure: part to full shade. Uses: welcome early blossoms in mixed perennial beds and borders; good understory planting. Prefers moist soil enriched with leaf mold or compost. Mulch for winter protection and summer moisture. Remove old leaves before new spring growth appears. Grows to 18-22 in by 24in spread, USDA Hardiness Zone 4(-30º).
Reference: www.skagitgardens.com
*not all varieties may be available, stock may vary