| October 2008 — Helleborus |
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| Tuesday, 30 September 2008 19:00 |
 There are currently 20 species recognized within the genus Helleborus which is a member of the family Ranunculaceae. Hellebores have experienced a surge of interest over the last several years due, in the main, to the realization that they are much hardier and easier to grow than previously thought. Native to Eastern Europe and Asia these striking plants never fail to lend an air of the exotic to any garden. Their tropical appearance and often evergreen habit once condemned them to the gardens of collectors and connoisseurs but through the concerted efforts of several talented breeders these wonderful plants are entering the mainstream.The two most commonly seen species are known as Christmas Rose (H. niger) and Lenten Rose (H. orientalis), due to the time of year in which they flower and the single rose-like appearance of their blooms. However Hellebores are not members of the family Roseaceae and can in fact be poisonous if ingested (like most Ranunculaceae) - so do not be tempted to indulge in any Christmas Rose Petal Tea! However this trait does have the advantage of making them quite resistant, if not immune, to the ravages of hungry deer and other garden pests. Hellebores are happiest in a shaded location, preferably produced by deciduous trees. This ensures that they are in full sun when they are flowering but in a more sheltered position for the heat of the summer when they generally enter a period of dormancy. They must have rich but well drained soil, in fact once established they are more likely to succumb to the 'kindness' of overwatering than the 'neglect' of drought. Think of them as Sedum for the shade! Their foliage is generally tough, leathery, dark green to bluish green with some cultivars having a silver/pewter cast to them. As well, there are several variegated selections available but they do tend to be a bit trickier to keep happy. The plants form nice showy clumps as they become established. Due to their evergreen tendencies and early blooming it is best to wait until after flowering to 'tidy up' any winter scruffiness. If planting or moving bare root, better success will be experienced in the early autumn while plugs or containerized plants can be transplanted at almost any time. The flowers are of course what draws most people to these plants. The five (singles) showy sepals are quite tough and frost resistant - an adaptation to their early blooming, in addition they stay on the plant for an extended period of time providing a show long after pollination has taken place. The flowers are sometimes held protected amongst the foliage but hybridization is producing more adventurous and visible blooms in an extended range of colors and forms with several doubles now available. Helleborus x hybridus is the generally accepted name for the more complicated of the breeding results, but they are still commonly known as Lenten Rose and are primarily H. orientalis. They even make spectacular cut flowers - best displayed by floating the blooms in a shallow bowl - the more the better! Helleborus niger, a.k.a. Christmas Rose. Beautiful single creamy white flowers appear anywhere from early winter until early spring depending upon where they are growing. Western Europe, the Pacific Northwest and zones 7 and warmer on the Atlantic side of North America have the chance of seeing blooms in December but the rest of us will likely have to wait a couple of months. While appearing to be quite delicate and fragile the waxy blooms age well, developing a beautiful pink tinge first on the outside and a lovely greenish cast as the seeds mature. H. niger is noted for its exuberant blooming habit putting on a wonderful show of upward facing flowers just when most of us need it the most. Height and spread about 15"-18" (35 cm - 45 cm). Hardy from zones 4-8.  Helleborus orientalis 'Mrs. Betty Ranicar' a.k.a. Double Lenten Rose.A legendary star of the Hellebore world, this great cultivar is finally becoming quite readily available. The stunning fully double flowers are pure white and held in lovely nodding clusters above the foliage where they can be easily seen and admired. Flowering in the early spring (Lent/Easter), mature plants will easily have in excess of 100 blooms. This wonderful plant was discovered growing in a Tasmanian garden and named for a famous plantswoman from that island. Generally true from seed, but germination is slow and flowering takes several years from seed. Height and spread are again about 15"-18" (35 cm - 45 cm). Hardy from zones 5-9. Helleborus orientalis 'Lady' series a.k.a. Lenten Rose. One of the loveliest collections to be released in the last few years. This is a series of individual colors that come true from seed. (Many other strains and cultivars come in a mixed seed lot). Upward, or at least outward, facing flowers are confidently held above the foliage to best show off their beauty. 'Blue Lady' exhibits exquisite deep bluish purple flowers that show up wonderfully against a blanket of snow. A little more vigorous than her sisters this cultivar tends to have a height and spread about 18"-24" (45 cm -60 cm). Hardy from zones 5-9. 'Pink Lady' flowers in lovely shades of pink and rose. Somewhat more compact with height and spread about 12"-15" (30 cm - 35 cm). Hardy from zones 5-9. 'Red Lady' has beautiful deep maroon to burgundy tones to her flowers. Again, very floriferous and a strong grower. You cannot go wrong with any of this series. Height and spread about 12"-15" (30 cm - 35 cm). Hardy from zones 5-9. |
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