Helleborus

Helleborus features clusters of silver-dollar-sized flower at the ends of the stems during the pre-Spring season, giving rise to the popular name Lenten Rose. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its bold hand-shaped leaves remain green in color throughout the season. The fruit is not ornamentally significant but can produce viable seed.

Helleborus is an herbaceous perennial with an upright mounding form and bold foliage. Its durability lends stability to the garden composition and should be used to full effect. This is a relatively low maintenance plant. The "flowers" which are actually the calyx of the bloom can persist up to 3 months, providing extended color and interest. Deer avoid this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics. Helleborus is recommended for the following landscape applications; Mass Planting General Garden Use

Helleborus will grow to be about 10-12 inches tall at maturity extending to 12-18 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of up to 20-24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, but will allow lower plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. This plant does best in partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It is typically propagated from seed; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation. Helleborus is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.