Sometimes Hellebore niger, Christmas rose.

• zone 3 spring favourite
• not a rose but rose like flower
• one of the first flowers to bloom in late March, April
• great cut flower
• likes shade and semi- shade
• best in well drained damp loamy soil
• likes to dry out between wet spells
• prefers to be left alone
• many different colours
• combines beautifully with bulbs
• personal favourite

There are many species of Hellebore, some large, some small but the one that thrives in our chilly climate best is Hellebore orientalis or Hellebore X hybridus. These Hellebores have been bred to produce different colours from deep burgundy to speckled white and pink petals. The flower heads rise up out of the soil with their buds bent over as if sheltering from the weather. Although wonderful as a cut flower, this is a little problem and one of the most popular ways to display them is to float on water. The stems if mature, can be coaxed into standing vertically if gently slit one side from beneath the flowers down to the original cut and then placed in water up to the neck until rigid. The large leathery leaves of Hellebores are evergreen but can be removed once the flowers start to appear. New leaves will grow over summer but if the old leaves are left they turn brown and become messy. I leave them over winter to protect the plant. Hellebore niger is very similar to the hybrids but blooms around Christmas time in the right climate. Its flowers are pure white.

Hellebores prefer to be left undisturbed and will reward you with new plants every year. as they self seed quite readily. Learn to recognize the baby plants and you will have a supply for years to come. They combine especially well with all spring bulbs. Underplanted in a shrub border they make a beautiful spring display before the foliage of the shrubs takes over.