Helleborus HGC Linn

Helleborus HGC Linn is a superb recent creation from the unlikely alliance between the Christmas rose, Helleborus niger, and the Lenten rose, Helleborus orientalis. It combines the qualities of its parents with a fantastic 5-month flowering period from autumn to spring. Its large and luscious flowers are very bright creamy white. This hardy and very robust perennial can be grown in borders, under bushes, or in pots. Easy to grow in all regions, even in heavy and chalky soil, it thrives in shade or non-burning sun. Its flowers are beautiful and precious in winter bouquets.

Hybridization between Helleborus niger and Helleborus orientalis seemed impossible until now. However, this crossbreeding was 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 including Helleborus HGC Linn, a perennial herbaceous plant with evergreen foliage, belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. This variety forms a clump 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in) tall spreading a minimum of 50 cm (20in) and stands out for its long continuous flowering period, from November to April. Its abundant flowers proudly stand above beautiful glossy foliage, showing a green heart with yellow stamens. 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 evergreen, palmate, slightly toothed, dark green and shiny 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 and young plants take a little time to flower. The seeds are sown by ants.

Use Hellebores like elements of an ancient tapestry, mixing them with woodland plants in brighter colours. They are highlighted when planted near Pieris, small-sized rhododendrons and 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 plant them with Ferns and shade-loving irises to create a beautiful contrast a little later in the season. They can be planted in groups near the entrance of the house, in shaded areas, to enjoy their early flowering up close. They are suitable as cut flowers and in borders, beds, or containers... Over time, the flowers of the Hellebore do not wither like the majority of other flowers, but dry up instead.