Helleborus dumetorum

<strong>The <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/helleborus-hellebore.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hellebore</a></strong><a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/helleborus-hellebore.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">,</a> sometimes spelled Ellébore, <strong>is a perennial plant that stands out by offering a rich display of colour in the middle of winter.</strong> The earliest bloomers start flowering in November, while the latest finish in April. The <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/helleborus-hellebore/hellebores-by-variety/hellebore-the-christmas-rose.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christmas Rose</a> (<em>Helleborus niger</em>), which produces beautiful white flowers that are sometimes tinged with pink, is the most well-known species. There are also many varieties of <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/helleborus-hellebore/hellebores-by-variety/oriental-hellebore.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oriental Hellebores</a>, which offer flowers in a variety of colours, both single and double. Also discover the <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/helleborus-hellebore/hellebore-a-to-z/helleborus-argutifolius.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Corsican Hellebore</a>, with its yellow-green flowers and beautiful dentate foliage, surprisingly resistant to sun and drought. Mysterious, the Hellebore is an astonishing plant in more ways than one. <strong>It surprises us with its flowers that can sometimes be green or black</strong>, which is quite rare among plants! Its life cycle seems to be inverted compared to other plants. Thus, it awakens in autumn or early winter, then flowers and produces seeds, before going dormant when summer arrives! Moreover, the coloured parts that we believe to be petals are actually sepals, which allows them to last a long time and take on quite rare shades. <strong>Naturally adapted to winter</strong>, <strong>it is a very hardy perennial, often down to -15 °C.</strong> It requires rich, cool, but well-drained soil. It thrives in a semi-shaded position. Planted at the foot of deciduous trees or bushes, it will bring a splash of colour and almost make us forget winter! <strong>It is decorative both for its flowers and its evergreen foliage.</strong> Once established, <em>Helleborus niger</em> and <em>orientalis</em> have a very long lifespan and are resistant to diseases: you will enjoy their blooms for many years to come! <strong>Its flowers are used in cut arrangements to create bouquets</strong>. But be sure to pick fully open flowers (when the nectaries have fallen) unlike other cut flowers!