Heavenly Hellebore

Above:Hellebours foetidus naturalized in "woodsy" @ Goodstone

Above:Helleborus orientalis x hybrida 'Ivory Prince' @ Goodstone Carriage House

  Helleborus orientalis is easily one of my all time favorite herbaceous perennials EVER!  They are not really used in everyday landscapes which is sort of mind boggling considering they are extremely hardy (zones 4-7) will take part sun to full shade and are usually evergreen.  Not to mention they are DEER PROOF-for real!!!  They are also one of, if not The,  first to bloom in the very early spring and continue to bloom prolifically until June, maybe later.  

They make marvelous mounds of leaves and flowers growing 16"x 20" at maturity and need very little care or maintenance. The heavenly Helleborus is extremely tolerant of all conditions and I've seen it naturalize rather fast in good soil.  It's exquisite habit and gossamer flowers will be admired and appreciated in any situation and the affection will grow as that plant is the gift that keeps on giving! From shady, woodland gardens to quaint cottage gardens or large perennial gardens the Helleborus is a must have!   

Above:Helleborus nesteled between Tulip 'Green Village' and Nepeta 'Sweet Dreams' which is a really pretty upright catmint that flowers pink & white and Tulip 'Angelique'! (front of Dutch Cottage)

I've used the heavenly Hellebore in pots and planters for the spring season and then planted them out in the garden when its time to change the pots ! ( I love to use perennails in spring pots and planters it's a much better way to spend you hard earned dollars!!!) In cut flower arrangements they will last forever! The mighty Hellebore will  leave you with it's strong, shiny, deep green leaves in that nice clump all throughout the hot and dry summer!  Seriously it's impressive!! 

There are many different types and varieties of Helleborus.  Most of the helleborus found at the nurseries are hybrids and they are showing up in so many beautifel shades!  You can find them ranging from a creamy green to a rosy green to spotted white to a dark eggplant to pink and all the while looking amazingly ethereal and just as tough as the day is long!  Last year I put in tons of  Helleborus and I'm going to keep on adding over the next 3 years !  I want them all over!  

Hellebours foetidus is really cool too!  It has a different growth habit and a finer foliage.  This one only blooms in a white/green with a sight rose edge.  An amazing creature for sure!  The foetidus has the same hardiness and naturalizing ability and is just as durable in every way.  It remindes me of a plant from the dinasour times.  Its got a sharp and crazy texture but still has that certain something that makes a Hellebore so special!     You can't grow wrong with a Hellebore!!!

Above:Hellebours foetidus in the 'Woodsy Garden" @ Goodstone 

Above:Helleborus orientalis x hybrida 'Ivory Prince'

Below:Helleborus @ Goodstone in shades of white and pink

Varieties you can find in our gardens as of now !!!

*Helleborus orientalis 'Red Lady'

*Helleborus hybridus 'Ivory Prince'

   Common Name: Lenten Rose

*Helleborus hybridus 'Pine Knot Strain'

*Helleborus foetidus

   Common Name: Bearsfoot Hellebore

*Helleborus niger 'Maximus'

   Common Name: Christmas Rose

*Helleborus orientalis 'Brandywine Series'

   Common Name: Lenten Rose

Varieties I'll be adding...

Helleborus argutifolius

Corsican Hellebore

Delicate yellow-green flowers attractively striped with purple contrast with coarse, spiny evergreen foliage that resembles holly leaves. Tolerates some sun. Fall protection is needed north of zone 8. Blooms mid winter thru early spring.

Helleborus niger

Christmas Rose

An elegant perennial with delicate, single white flowers rising above lustrous, dark green leaves. Mass under trees or place in beds of mixed plantings. Also useful against spring-flowering evergreens.

Helleborus x 'Metallic Blue Lady'

Lenten Rose

Beautiful purplish-blue nodding flowers complement leathery evergreen leaves. Highlights the woodland garden or landscape. Long-lived plant.

Helleborus orientalis 'White Spotted Lady'

Lenten Rose

Beautiful, long-lasting nodding white flowers with maroon speckles complement leathery, evergreen leaves. Highlights the woodland garden or landscape. Long-lived plants.