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Helleborus (Christmas or Lenten Rose)
The whole gardening world seems enchanted with these mostly evergreen, woodland winter-flowering perennials. We are offering some very special types this year, including the rare H. x nigercors, H. x ericsmithii, the breeding work of the former Heronswood Nursery, and finally clonal selections of Helleborus x hybridus. Hellebores are easy-to-grow if you provide improved soil in a lightly shaded woodland-type situation. Hellebores become amazingly drought-tolerant with age and are great under summer-thirsty deciduous trees. Watch for seedlings around your parent plants...you may come up with some great hybrids of your own.
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Helleborus argutifolius 'Laurelhurst' (Laurelhurst Corsican Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to Light Shade Zone: 7-9, at least 24" tall Origin: Corsica
Open House/Web-Only!
This west coast selection of the Corsican lenten rose has performed better than other strains that we have grown over the years. The spiny greyish-green leaves adorn the 2' tall upright stems, topped in late winter and early spring with 8" spikes of open light green flowers. H. argutifolius is evergreen in the teens F, but at temperatures in the low single digits, H. argutifolius dies back to the ground and resprouts in spring. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08177
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Helleborus argutifolius 'Silver Lace' (Silver Lace Corsican Hellebore)
Light ShadeZone: 6-8, warmer on the west coast 20" tall Origin: Corsica
New crop available 3-4-2010 This stunning introduction from RD Plants of Devon, England, is a pewter-silver leaf selection of H. argutifolius, and thanks to tissue culture, there is no seedling variation. To lighten a woodland garden, I can't imagine a better choice! The 20" tall x 2' wide clumps (larger on the West Coast) are topped in late winter with stalks of green flowers, but with foliage like this, who cares? Even in colder zones where the plant is hardy but the leaves fry in winter, this would still be great for summer color. Good drainage and protection from winter sun in cold climates will keep the foliage looking better. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06567
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Helleborus foetidus 'Chedglow' (Golden Bullion Claw Hellebore)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9 24" tall Origin: Western Europe
Open House/Web-Only!
New crop available 11-19-2009 This marvelous form of H. foetidus was discovered by Martin Cragg-Barber of Chedglow Nursery in the UK but has also prospered on this side of the pond. The 2' tall stalks of golden, mostly variegated leaves...brightest in spring...are topped in late winter with typical large, green candelabra-type heads. In the South, the summer foliage becomes more of a chartreuse green. We have found 90% of the plants started from seed are gold. The seed strain of this plant is sold under the invalid name of H. 'Gold Bullion'. As with all Helleborus foetidus, good drainage is essential for best performance. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06325
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Helleborus foetidus 'Dunham' (Bear Claw Hellebore)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5b-8, at least 20" tall Origin: Western Europe
Open House/Web-Only!
Our first plants of Helleborus foetidus were a wonderful form from the late Rachel Dunham of Cary, NC. The first season, the plants grow rapidly, forming a substantial thick 20" tall, green stalk adorned with dark green, serrated-edge evergreen foliage. In the spring, the clumps are topped with a giant candelabra of green bells that would have made Liberace proud. Helleborus foetidus is a short-lived perennial, so allow it to seed in place, which it does quite well. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06465
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Helleborus foetidus 'Dunham Narrow Leaf' (Dunham Narrow Leaf Bear Claw Hellebore)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5b-8, at least 20" tall Origin: Western Europe
Open House/Web-Only!
Our first plants of Helleborus foetidus were a wonderful form from the late Rachel Dunham of Cary, NC. Over the years, we segregated out this narrow leaf race we found to have a particularly nice texture. The first season, the plants grow rapidly, forming a substantial thick 20" tall, green stalk adorned with dark green, narrowly-cut evergreen foliage. In the spring, the clumps are topped with a giant candelabra of green bells that would have made Liberace proud. Helleborus foetidus is a short-lived perennial, so allow it to seed in place, which it does quite well. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07031
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Helleborus foetidus 'Green Giant' (Bear Claw Hellebore)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-9 30" tall Origin: Western Europe
Open House/Web-Only!
This Will McLewin seed strain from England produces a very large, robust clump 30" tall x 30" wide (may take several years to reach a mature height). In late winter, the clumps of medium green foliage are topped with 1' tall, well-branched flower clusters of green bells -- very spectacular, but allow plenty of room. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02197
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Helleborus foetidus 'Krenitsky' (Bear Claw Hellebore)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9 20" tall Origin: Western Europe
Open House/Web-Only!
This seed strain of H. foetidus was shared with us by Chapel Hill NC plantsman Tom Krenitsky. Visitors to the garden have marveled at the exceptionally dark green, very serrate leaves, so we finally got around to propagating a few. As with all H. foetidus, the plants grow vigorously the first season forming a 20" tall stalk, clothed in dark green, hand-shaped leaves. After the second winter, the clumps are topped with 2' tall thick flower spikes with light green bells. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02281
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Helleborus foetidus 'Piccadilly' (Bear Claw Hellebore)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-9 20" tall Origin: Western Europe
New crop available 11-12-2009 From our friends Dick and Judith Tyler, we obtained this unique seedling that originated in the garden of Piccadilly Farm's Sam and Carleen Jones of Georgia. The foliage is a very dark black-green with a slatey overlay, similar to H. 'Wester Flisk'. The clumps are topped with stalks of whitish-green flowers, beginning in early winter and continuing through early spring. Many of the seedlings will also feature nice reddish markings on the flower stem and in the leaf axils...simply superb! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02562
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Helleborus foetidus 'Red Silver' Strain (Red Silver Bear Claw Hellebore)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9 30" tall Origin: Western Europe
Open House/Web-Only!
New crop available 3-4-2010 This seed strain of Helleborus foetidus is the hottest H. foetidus introduction in years. H. 'Red Silver' popped up in the garden of Ernie and Marietta O'Byrne, probably as a cross of
H. 'Sopron' and H. 'Wester Flisk'. For us, H. 'Red Silver' holds its pewter leaf color well through the summer, although it will always be brightest in spring. In addition to the attractive foliage, the 30" tall flower spikes are highlighted by red petioles and the typical green flowers are usually highlighted by a red ring around the rim. Keep in mind this is a seed strain and there is some variability in the offspring.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07707
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Helleborus lividus (Livid Hellebore)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7b-9 12" tall Origin: Spain
This is probably the most strikingly beautiful and sought-after of the hellebore species. The toothed foliage, borne on an upright stalk, is similar to a dwarf H. argutifolius, but is much hardier in our trials. Each leaf is a fabulous rich green, highlighted with silver and red veining...the specific epithet, lividus, means lead-like, not angry. Our 1' tall x 2' wide clumps flower in late winter and early spring with terminal clusters, holding masses of pink-backed greenish flowers...hardy here for 15+ years, although flower buds were killed when the winter temperatures dropped below 5 degrees F. Reports of limited hardiness are only valid in cool summer climates where summer heat doesn't produce enough sugars. Our original clumps were grown from hellebore guru Will McLewin's seed. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01094
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Helleborus niger 'HGC Josef Lemper' PP 15,615 (Josef Lemper Christmas Rose)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 3-8 9" tall Origin: Europe
This improved form of Helleborus niger comes from the German breeding program of Joseph Heuger. H. 'HGC Josef Lemper' is a tissue cultured clone selected for its upright habit and longer flowering period, which in Germany, begins in October and continues until February. The large white flowers are typical for Helleborus niger. We think you will find this new cultivar quite amazing. Well-drained soils are very important for success with Helleborus niger. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07486
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Helleborus niger ssp. macranthus (Christmas Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 3-9 12" tall Origin: Europe
Open House/Web-Only!
New crop available 3-4-2010 (syn: H. niger 'Maximus') This subspecies of the Christmas rose from Italy and northern Yugoslavia (what little is left) is distinguished from the typical H. niger in that it grows a bit taller (1' tall) and has more blue-green foliage. The slightly larger pure-white flowers also change to pink as they age, creating a very dramatic statement in the garden! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03529
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Helleborus 'Snow White' (Snow White Hybrid Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
(aka: H. 'Snow Bunting') We were provided with incorrect information about this plant, but here is the real scoop. This is the first hybrid of H. x hybridus x H. niger (a previously assumed impossible cross) that appeared as a seedling among H. x hybridus at the Yokohama garden in Japan. The foliage is intermediate between the two plants, and the clumps are topped in late winter with flat white flowers that age to a reddish-pink in cool weather. This very vigorous clump has proven to be quite impressive and has thrived in hot climates where H. niger is just a composted memory. These sterile plants are propagated by tissue culture. (Yes, plant cloning is legal in all parts of the country except Lynchburg, Virginia.) Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07484
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Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Candy Love' PPAF (Candy Love Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-8, possibly colder 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
This new selection of Helleborus x ericsmithii comes from the breeding program of Belgium's Het Wilgenbroek. H. 'Candy Love' is a hybrid between their own special selections of H. niger and H. x sternii. H. 'Candy Love' makes a compact 20" wide, H. niger-like clump of dark green leaves, highlighted by red veins in spring. The clumps are topped, starting in late winter, with massive clusters of 15" stalks ending in large pink tinged flowers which age chocolate...mighty fine!
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08290
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Helleborus x ericsmithii 'HGC Silvermoon' PP15,639 (Silvermoon Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-8, at least 7" tall Origin: Hybrid
This new selection of Helleborus x ericsmithii (niger x xsternii) comes from Joseph Heuger of Germany. The attractive pewter green leaves make a nice backdrop for the upright stalks of white flowers in late winter. This represents one selected clone that is reproduced via tissue culture. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07482
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Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Pink Beauty' (Pink Beauty Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 6-8 10" tall Origin: Hybrid
Open House/Web-Only!
(aka: H. x nigristern) H. 'Pink Beauty' is a new European selection of the rare sterile hybrid (H. niger x H. x sternii). The result is a hellebore with the growth habit of H. niger, but easy to grow like H. x sternii. The grey-green, niger-like leaves are held on purple stems whose color runs well into the leaf base. In spring, the dusty purple flower stalks rise to 10", topped with clusters of pink-backed ivory buds. The flowers open ivory and pink, aging beautifully to dusty pink...an amazing plant for the woodland garden. These are probably root hardy at least through Zone 6, but the old foliage may look ragged and need to be removed in spring. These are all from divisions of a single clone...in other words, all are identical.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06134
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Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Winter Moonbeam' (Winter Moonbeam Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-8, possibly colder 12" tall Origin: Hybrid
New crop available 1-7-2010 From the UK's Harveys Garden Plants comes one of the most exciting hellebores we have grown. This H. lividus x niger hybrid makes a 12" tall x 18" wide clump of glaucous foliage, adorned with a dramatic silver-grey veinal netting (from the H. lividus parent) combined with bright red petioles where the leaflets join. The clumps are topped in early spring with outfacing white flowers that are held on a 45 degree angled stalk. The flowers age first to pink, then nearly red....a superb transition. We think you are going to love this easy-to-grow gem. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08299
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Helleborus x hybridus Double Queen Strain (Double Queen Hybrid Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
An interesting name, but I'm not sure if I've ever met one...either in the literal, figurative, or royal sense. Nonetheless, this double-flowered strain of hybrid lenten rose is based on the work of Elizabeth Strangman of the UK. While some catalogs report this strain as 100% true, we're betting this claim is a typical catalog exaggeration. This strain does report a very good range of double flowers in colors from yellows to pinks. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07461
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Helleborus x hybridus 'Elegance White' (Elegance White Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
We are thrilled to be able to offer this stunning lenten rose with rounded double white flowers, spotted beautifully with maroon specks throughout the central portion of the flowers. These are clonally reproduced, so each plant is identical. The 15" tall x 2' wide evergreen clumps are topped with flowers from late February to early April (NC). Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08151
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Helleborus x hybridus 'Gold Finch' (Gold Finch Hybrid Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
We are pleased to introduce this clonally propagated Helleborus x hybridus from Dan Hinkley's breeding program at Heronswood. Dan selected H. 'Gold Finch' to offer in the 2007 Heronswood catalog, but we all know about their untimely demise. Fans will be glad to know the name was hauled to the East Coast for safe keeping. H. 'Gold Finch' is a lovely and vigorous selection with golden flowers adorned with a prominent red central blotch. These represent some of the first ever clonal H. x hybridus...all identical thanks to tissue culture. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07487
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| <Hedychium - Helicodicerus] | [Helleborus II> |
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