Helleborus lemperii HGC Winter Ballet Karli

Helleborus x lemperii HGC Winter Ballet Karli is part of a collection of hybrids with high ornamental value and fantastic growing performance. It came from the previously unthinkable alliance between Christmas rose, Helleborus niger, and Oriental Hellebore, Helleborus orientalis. This plant combines the qualities of these two species and offers a long flowering period of 5 months, from November to April. Its large purple-pink flowers are bright, vibrant, and rich. It is robust and hardy and thrives even in heavy and chalky soil, in shade or non-scorching sun. It will be admired in borders, under winter shrubs, in pots and as a cut flower.

The hybridization between the Christmas rose and the Oriental Hellebore seemed impossible until now. However, this crossbreeding has been successfully carried out at the Jardins de Bellevue in Beaumont-le-Hareng, Normandy, by Martine and Lucie Lemonnier. Since this first success, other cultivars have appeared like Hellebore x lemperii HGC Winter Ballet Karli, a perennial herbaceous plant with evergreen foliage, belonging to the ranunculaceae family. Forming a clump 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in) tall and spreading over a minimum of 50 cm (20in), this variety stands out for its long continuous flowering from November to April. Its abundant flowers proudly stand above beautiful glossy foliage, showing their yellow stamen hearts. They measure more than 15 cm (6in) in diameter and are composed of 5 rounded petals arranged in an open cup. The foliage consists of palmate, slightly toothed, dark green and shiny, evergreen basal leaves 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in) long, composed of 7 to 9 leaflets. They only live for 8 months and are regularly replaced by new leaves. Hellebore does not like to be moved once established, as the young plants take some time to flower. The seeds are sown by ants.

Use hellebores as elements of an ancient tapestry, mixing them with more vibrant-coloured woodland plants. They are beautifully highlighted near Pieris, small-sized rhododendrons or under conifers (especially on wind-exposed sites). Surround them with primroses, wood anemones, Corydalis, Dicentras, Cardamines, or spring-flowering bulbs and Snowdrops. You can also accompany them with Ferns and shade-loving iris to create a beautiful contrast a little later in the season. They can be planted in groups near the entrance of the house, in a shaded area, to fully enjoy their early flowering. They are suitable as cut flowers and in borders, edges, or even containers... Over time, the flowers of the Hellebore do not wither like the majority of other flowers, but dry up.