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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. |
Helleborus argutifolius 'Silver Lace' (Silver Lace Corsican Hellebore)
Light Shade Zone: 6-8, warmer on the west coast 20" tall Origin: Corsica
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 'Bowles Cabbage Stalk' (Bear Claw Hellebore)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9 20" tall Origin: Western Europe alternate image
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This is a selection, grown by the late English plantsman E.A. Bowles, with very finely dissected foliage and giant flower heads with hundreds of little green bells. Are you ready to be "bowled" over? Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03030
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Helleborus foetidus 'Chedglow' (Golden Bullion Claw Hellebore)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9 24" tall Origin: Western Europe
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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 that 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
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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
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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 'Krenitsky' (Bear Claw Hellebore)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9 20" tall Origin: Western Europe
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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
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 GA. 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
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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 alternate image
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 Nell Lewis Strain (Christmas Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 3-8 8" tall Origin: Europe
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From the garden of Greensboro, NC, plantswoman Nell Lewis comes this extremely vigorous seed strain of the legendary Christmas rose, Helleborus niger. Perhaps the most amazing thing about this strain is that almost all of the seedlings flower the first year from seed...an unheard of trait in the genus Helleborus. From the large, glossy dark green leaves arise 8" tall stalks of large pure-white flowers beginning around January in NC. H. niger must have good drainage and dry soils. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #03456
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Helleborus niger ssp. macranthus (Christmas Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 3-9 12" tall Origin: Europe
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(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
(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, VA.) Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07484
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Helleborus x ericsmithii 'HGC Silvermoon' PP 15,639 (Silvermoon Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-8, at least 7" tall Origin: Hybrid
NEW!
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
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(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 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 '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 that 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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Helleborus x hybridus Heronswood Black Purple Strain (Black Purple Hybrid Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
NEW!
Wow! The intensity of the single black-purple flowers on these hybrids from the nursery formerly known as Heronswood is simply stunning. These vigorous seed-grown hybrids have to be seen to be believed. All plants have passed the PDN flower check test for at least one season. Don't wait...since we've only got limited quantities of these flowering-sized plants, they are sure to go fast. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07710
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Helleborus x hybridus Heronswood Creamy Yellow Mix (Creamy Yellow Hybrid Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
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These Heronswood hybrids have flowers of creamy white...not quite white and not quite yellow. Some have a small bit of pink veining as well. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07714
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Helleborus x hybridus Heronswood Double Lavender Strain (Double Lavender Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid alternate image
This offering from the former Heronswood breeding program is Dan's lavender, double-flowered strain. In reality, the flower colors range from lavender pink to purple, and since they are seedlings, a good bit of variation does exist. In order to make sure they all flowered double, they were grown an extra year and therefore are guaranteed to be 100% double. These are large 2-quart plants, ready to make an instant statement in the garden.
Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07023
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Helleborus x hybridus Heronswood Double Pink Strain (Heronswood Double Pink Hybrid Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
We are thrilled to offer these fine double-flowered Helleborus x hybridus from Dan Hinkley's breeding program at the nursery formerly known as Heronswood. Even though these are seedlings and each plant is different, these all flowered last year and are guaranteed to be 100% double. Last year, it was hard not to save every one that flowered for my own garden, but this year, my wife is forcing me to share. The flowers come in shades of light to dark pink with an array of fine speckling. These are absolutely wonderful large plants that will make an instant clump in the garden. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07046
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Helleborus x hybridus Heronswood Double Purple Strain (Double Purple Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
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These amazing hybrid lenten roses are seed-grown from breeding at the nursery, formerly known as Heronswood. These clumps are topped starting in February with amazing stalks of double dark purple (nearly black) flowers. These are in very short supply and will sell out quickly, so don't delay. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07711
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Helleborus x hybridus Heronswood Double White Strain (Double White Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
NEW!
This strain of lenten rose from the former Heronswood Nursery is topped, starting in February, with stalks of large double white flowers. The breeding parentage includes one of our favorites, H. x hybridus 'Mrs. Betty Ranicar' as one of the parents. These seed-grown, flowering-sized plants are only offered in 2-quart pots. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07712
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Helleborus x hybridus Heronswood Single White (Single White Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
NEW!
This single white strain of helleborus x hybridus was developed by Heronswood Nursery before the name was hijacked and hauled to PA. These have all flowered for at least one season prior to now and are each distinctive. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07788
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Helleborus x hybridus Heronswood Violet Red Strain (Violet Red Hybrid Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
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This single red-violet strain of lenten rose from the breeding program at the former Heronswood Nursery has dazzled our nursery staff. These seed grown 3 QT plants are in full flower now (February). We think you'll agree that these are perfect to cheer up a dark spot in your garden. Pot size: 3 qt. (2.83 L) #07713
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Helleborus x hybridus Heronswood Yellow Blush Strain (Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-9 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
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These Heronswood hybrids are a unique blend of creamy yellow with varying degrees of red-lavender flushing on the flowers. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #08181
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Helleborus x hybridus Heronswood Yellow Strain 2 (Heronswood Yellow Hybrid Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
One of the most requested plants in spring is the yellow-flowered Helleborus x hybridus, so we are ecstatic to offer these pre-flowered plants from Dan Hinkley's former breeding program from the dearly departed Heronswood Nursery. These are robust 2-quart plants that flowered last year and are guaranteed to flower yellow...most with tiny red flecks in the petals. Get 'em while they last. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07042
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Helleborus x hybridus Heronswood Yellow w/Red Spots (Heronswood Yellow Hybrid Lenten Rose)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Hybrid
NEW!
These selections from the nursery formerly known as Heronswood are lovely yellow-flowered forms, each highlighted by red blotches in the flower...usually at the base of the flower...quite stunning. All plants have passed the PDN flower check test for at least one season. Pot size: 2 qt. (1.892 L) #07715
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