Helleborus sternii Boughton Beauty

Helleborus x sternii Boughton Beauty is a hybrid hellebore derived from H.argutifolia, the Corsican hellebore, and H.lividus, its close relaitive native to the Balearic Islands. 'Boughton Beauty' is a rather compact variety, with superb evergreen foliage with hints of tin and slate, purple on the underside, and producing clusters of green flowers that take on lovely shades of aged silk as they fade, blushing pink and purple over time.  This collector's perennial is a treasure for shaded areas of the garden, to be planted under trees.

Helleborus x sternii is a horticultural hybrid initially obtained in England in 1939 by Dr. Frederic Stern. This plant inherited the robustness of the Corsican hellebore and the beautiful colours of its other parent, which can be observed both on the foliage and the flowers.

'Boughton Beauty' is a very beautiful selection obtained at Boughton House by Valérie Finnis, characterised by green foliage with almost metallic grey slate reflections, finely veined with silver, showing a purple underside. It is also distinguished by its rose-purple stems and its green flowers that turn pink-purple on the outside, and pale yellow on the inside. This perennial will reach a maximum height of 45cm (18in) when in bloom, with a spread of 50cm (20in). The flowering takes place in winter, more or less early depending on the climate, from December to March-April. The 4cm (2in) diameter flowers are simple and rounded, cup-shaped, with green stamens in their centre. They are gathered in clusters at the end of the flower stalks. The evergreen and leathery foliage is composed of palmate leaves divided into 3 lanceolate segments, quite wide, with toothed and spiny edges. The Hellebore does not like to be moved: once established, young plants sometimes take 2 years to flower. The seeds, formed abundantly, are sown in April-May by ants. They easily germinate after exposure to cold, the following winter.

Use hellebores like elements of an ancient tapestry, mixing them with woodland plants in brighter colours. This Mediterranean-origin Boughton Beauty hellebore allows gardeners in dry and warm climates to adopt a different but equally fascinating Christmas rose in their garden, without fearing it will die of thirst in summer. It can be planted in groups, near the entrance of the house, in a shaded location, to fully enjoy its extraordinary presence throughout the year and its precious flowering. It is an excellent plant for slightly shaded areas, for example on the edge of a grove or a clear woodland, in the company of Euphorbia amygdaloides, Geranium macrorrhizum, Glechoma hederacea, Algerian Iris, or less exuberant periwinkles, for example.