Hellebores, the Cold-Weather Bloomer
There are few shade perennials that can compete with the seasonal interest of hellebores. Also called the Christmas Rose or Lenten Rose, bloom-time often coincides with the Christmas holidays. This hardy perennial offers beautiful blooms all through the dreary days of winter and into early spring. Hellebores features blooms with five petaled, cup-shaped flowers with dark green foliage that makes for a beautiful back-drop. Available in a variety of colors from white to pastel-yellow to pink and purple, this intriguing perennial is without a doubt the star of the winter landscape. And, throughout the summer the deep green foliage creates visual depth and interest in the landscape, too. This low maintenance plant is drought tolerant but will also thrive in moist, well-drained soil. And did we mention that hellebores are deer resistant. Not only will they grace your table with beautiful cut flowers, they’ll provide color in your landscape at a time when there virtually is none. Here are some of our favorite stunning selections:
Pink Frost (Heritage Gold Collection) – a blend of white, pink, and deep rose on upward-facing petals – unusual for a hellebore. Burgundy stems support leathery leaves with a silver frosting. This upright grower blooms winter to early spring and is happy in beds, borders, or containers. Plant in part to full-shade.
Frostkiss Pippa’s Purple – oodles of outward-facing, purplish-pink flowers overtop foliage that is mottled and veined with pink and silver, mellowing to mint on dark green. Pippa has a winter bloom-time and is ideal nuzzled into beds or containers. Plant in part to full-shade.
Shooting Star (Heritage Gold Collection) – dusty-rose buds open to white flowers that fade to sage-green with dark-red stems. Blooms winter to early spring and is right at home in beds, borders, and pots. Plant in part to full-shade.
Monte Christo (Heritage Gold Collection) – creamy blooms tinged with a peachy-rose-blush. Foliage is blue-gray with red stems. Blooms winter to early spring and is the perfect perennial for beds, borders, and containers. Plant in part to full-shade.
Marlon (Heritage Gold Collection) – large, cream flowers that mature to green on cinnamon-colored stems surrounded by deep-green foliage. This compact grower blooms late winter to spring and does best in beds, borders, and containers. Plant in part to full-shade.
Mahogany Snow (Heritage Gold Collection) – large, creamy with light-pink petals that age to a soft mahogany-pink. Mahogany Snow blooms winter to early spring and fits perfectly into shady beds, borders, or containers. Plant in part to full-shade.
Gold Collection Cinnamon Snow (Heritage Gold Collection) – large, creamy-white flowers blended with rose and cinnamon hues and cinnamon-red on the flipside. Foliage is deep green. This winter-time bloomer is well-suited for shaded beds and borders. Plant in part to full-shade.
Jacob (Heritage Gold Collection) – smooth, dark green foliage with crisp, 2 to 3-inch white flowers that mature to a pink and rose color in cool temperatures and turn light green in warmer climates. Stems are a rich burgundy highlight by dark green foliage. Blooms in winter and performs well in beds, borders, and pots. Plant in part to full-shade.
Jesko (Heritage Gold Collection) – large, pure-white blooms maturing to pale yellow-green with deep green, leathery textured leaves. Jesko is a compact grower and blooms in early winter. Perfect planted in pots, or in a shady spot in the landscape. Plant in part to full-shade.
Photos courtesy of Skagit Gardens
