Helleborus niger

CHRISTMAS ROSE

Helleborus niger
CHRISTMAS ROSE

Helleborus niger is the classic pure, snowy white Winter Rose (known in the northern hemisphere as a Christmas Rose).
But of course, as it blooms in the middle of winter – in Australia it is definitely not in bloom for Christmas.

Sparkling snow white winter blooms

But even better, it provides sparkling, long blooming flowers right through winter.
These snowflake white beauties are adorned with golden stamens and open with apple-green eyes.

Long lasting flowers from the dead heart of winter

Helleborus niger blooms in showy bunches of large white blossoms
And they are amongst the very first of the Hellebores, or Winter Roses, to light up the gloom of winter and brighten the shortest days.
The flower trusses then endure through to spring, gradually mellowing to soft creams and greens.

Flowers that boldly show their faces

Many Helleborus coyly nod their flowers, but Helleborus niger boldly looks at you face on.

Handsome evergreen foliage in the shade

Helleborus niger also contributes to the shade garden all year with evergreen handsome glossy foliage.

Deep shade lover & ideal under trees and shrubs

Helleborus niger is a natural woodland dweller from the forests of southern Europe.
So it is perfectly adapted to positions in Shade to Deep Shade.
And is ideal planted as an evergreen groundcover under trees & shrubs.
It is equally at home in the shade of both deciduous and evergreen trees, or tall buildings.

Frost hardy & low maintenance

Helleborus niger is robustly frost hardy, an easy to grow & low maintenance perennial, evergreen plant.
Providing it is planted in shaded soil with plenty of humus such as leaf litter and mulch; and not planted in a bog.
Because it will rot out if planted in a boggy spot without good drainage.
It prospers in either acid or alkaline soils.
Whilst the foliage is evergreen, you can also cut the foliage clump back hard in late autumn, thus promoting fresh new leaves to decorate the winter garden.

Bees & pollinators are thankful for the winter pollen

The long, lush stamens of Helleborus niger are a winter larder of pollen for bees and pollinators, and help to keep our friends alive over the lean times of winter.

Though rabbits & deer are not keen

Fortunately rabbits and deer find Helleborus foliage little to their taste, and generally leave them well alone. (Unless they are absolutely starving – when they would eat the leg off the piano).

Good cut for winter vases

Helleborus niger make lovely flowers for a mid-winter vase.
The trick to stop them drooping in the vase is to cut flowers that are really mature and already pollinated (so the central stamens have faded and seed pods have begun to form). They they do not flop.
Once you have them inside, re-cut the base of the stems with a sharp knife, so the stem is not crushed and can absorb water well. A little vinegar in the vase water also help extend vase life.

Evergreen long-lived perennial clump 30cm. High x 30cm Wide

SEED SOWING ADVICE: Patience needed

Sow in punnets indoors at any time when suitable temperatures can be provided
OR
Scatter directly in the garden.

Sow indoors: Sow in punnets on surface of good quality seed raising mix. Press gently. Barely cover with grit/mix/sand/vermiculite. Keep punnet moist at 10-20 °C for 2-4 weeks. Then wrap punnet in cling wrap & place in fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks. Remove from fridge, unwrap punnet & return to 10-20 °C place. Most seedlings should emerge in approx. 30 to 90 days. But patience – do not discard punnet, as some seedlings may come later.

Seed Count: 8 seeds per pack.
(We always aim to exceed the seed count and give a generous serve)

Click here for Nursery Open Days & Open Gardens Information
https://www.gardivalia.com.au/open-gardens

Click here to go back to Seeds Shop
https://www.seedscape.net.au/shop/