Royal Heritage™ Hellebore

For early blooms in your garden, nothing can beat the Lenten Rose. Just as the snow has barely melted, or even before, up push the first blooms on these treasured plants. But white or pale pink is usually the only color – that’s why there is instead the Royal Heritage Hellebore. This group have been specially bred to produce flowers that can be dark purple, bright purple, pink, yellow, rose, pale green, or white, often speckled and splashed with dark red, or toned through several shades. Plant several in a bed beneath trees and wait for the party to begin next spring. The evergreen leathery leaves make a dense mound that is an excellent, attractive ground cover for the rest of the year. Grow them beneath deciduous trees, in beds or in woodland, or at the foot of a north-facing wall or fence. In warmer zones they can be grown in pots, and brought into a cool porch or room to enjoy the blooms more fully.

• Abundant blooms in March and April
• Flowers are purple, pink, yellow, or white
• Leathery leaves are evergreen and good ground cover
• Flowers stay attractive for 8 to 10 weeks
• Good choice for shade or woodland areas

Grow the Royal Heritage Hellebores in partial shade, with some morning sun, or in the dappled shade beneath deciduous trees. The foot of a north or east facing wall or fence is good too. Plant in rich, well-drained soil that is generally moist, although established plants are drought resistant. Add organic material when planting, and as mulch. This plant enjoys alkaline soil – add some lime if yours is acidic. Normally free of pests or diseases, but watch for slugs when blooms are pushing up. Deer and rabbits don’t bother it. Cut off the flowering stems, and any damaged or dying leaves, once the bloom period has ended. Specific colors can’t be guaranteed.