Helleborus hybridus ViV Clarissa

Oriental Hellebore Clarissa is a recent variety that will brighten up the garden at the end of the year. Flowering for several weeks from November, this Lenten Rose produces pale yellow flowers with 5 petals forming a flared cup, in the centre of which a bouquet of yellow stamens emerges. Forming a low evergreen clump, it is a robust and hardy perennial, easy to grow in all regions, even in heavy soil, although it prefers humus-rich and moist soils. Grow it in partial shade, at the base of trees in the company of other perennials that like shade, or in a pot, which will suit its compact habit.

Hellebore Clarissa is a member of the Ranunculaceae family, which includes about sixty genera and around 2500 species. Many are poisonous and contain substances which are toxic if ingested - a natural protection to prevent them from being grazed by herbivores. Despite this, they are valuable plants in the garden, as many genera are highly ornamental thanks to their remarkable flowering, such as Anemones, Buttercups, Trollius, Aconites, and many others including Clematis. Helleborus orientalis is native to Greece, Turkey, and the centre and east of the Caucasus. It is a perennial plant that hybridizes very easily with other species to produce hybrids with varied colours and forms variety names are rarely given to these hybrids, instead, they are distinguished by their shape and colour. The hybrid Hellebore is a hardy plant that can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F), naturally growing in forests, thickets, and clearings up to 2000m (6562ft) altitude.

Clarissa is a very recent Belgian creation, developed by a company specializing in Hellebores. It is part of the Viv collection, a wide range of hybrids selected for their compactness and floriferousness. Clarissa forms a clump only 35 to 45 cm (14 to 18in) tall, with a width of about thirty, which will thrive in the light shade of deciduous trees, or denser shade generated by conifers. Its evergreen foliage consists of palmate, bright green, slightly toothed basal leaves. They only live for 8 months and are regularly replaced by new leaves. Their sculptural shape is particularly decorative throughout the year.

Clarissa blooms in late autumn and winter, mainly from November to December, bringing light to the garden under dark skies. Its pale yellow flowers are composed of 5 petals that form a flared cup, with the yellow-green centre adorned with a heart of yellow stamens. This combination of coordinated colours provides a delicate flowering during these short days. These simple, almost rustic-looking, light-coloured flowers are borne on long peduncles that stand out from the mass of evergreen foliage. They are often inclined downwards to let water slide off like an umbrella, thus protecting the heart, which would otherwise risk rotting. Hellebores do not like to be moved once established, and young plants sometimes take time to flower. Choose their location carefully!
This perennial adapts to neutral to moderately alkaline (limestone) soils, and even slightly acidic ones, preferably rich and retaining some moisture, although an established plant can withstand dry conditions. Make sure the soil is well-drained, as Hellebores do not tolerate excess water in winter. It will thrive under a leafy tree, which will let in the winter sun but not the intense summer sun. Its compact habit, wider than tall, makes it a superb flowering pot plant to decorate a balcony or terrace.

This Hellebore flowers at a time of year when flowers are scarce. It will be useful for enlivening a partially shaded bed during the dark days. You can associate it with other late-flowering perennials to enjoy flowers for a long period. Clarissa will take over from Aster dumosus Bahamas, whose bright red flowers with yellow centres open from August to October. For the beginning of the year, you will have a wide choice of other varieties of Hellebores with white, green, red, or even dark purple flowers, like the beautiful Hellebore, Luisa. You can also add volume to your bed by planting shrubs such as Sarcococcas with white flowers, delicately scented in the heart of winter, or the superb Mahonia Soft Caress with fern-like foliage and yellow flower spikes that bloom before the flowers of Clarissa, and whose decorative black fruits will accompany the yellow of our little Hellebore.