Helleborus hybridus ViV Elsa

Viv Elsa is part of the Oriental Hellebores with fairly significant growth, reaching or exceeding 50 cm (20in) in all directions. Blooming for several weeks from September, this Lenten Rose produces single flowers, tinged with red and violet veins illuminated by a yellow heart. This very floriferous variety will be comfortable in not too dry soil, in semi-shaded exposure and will even tolerate denser shade. In a large pot, you can also grow it on a balcony or terrace, sheltered from the sun's rays, though there are many more suitable compact varieties. Its beautiful sculptural, evergreen, dark green, cut, foliage, makes it a decorative plant all year round.

The ViV Hellebores are varieties derived from in vitro multiplication. Unlike varieties derived from seed multiplication, Hellebores produced by in vitro guarantee a flowering that is rigorously identical to the variety from which they originate. They have the same genetic characteristics as the mother plant, are more vigorous and develop in a uniform manner.

Hellebore Viv Elsa is derived from in vitro culture and not from seed, it is a disease-free variety, more compact, more floriferous and more colourful. It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, which includes about sixty genera and about 2500 species. The species 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 very varied colours and shapes, variety names are rarely given to these hybrids; they are distinguished by their shape and colour. Oriental Hellebore is a hardy plant that tolerates temperatures down to -15 °C, naturally growing in forests, thickets and clearings up to 2,000 m altitude.

This variety forms a tuft 45 to 55 cm (18 to 22in) high with an equivalent width. Its dense vegetation is composed of palmate, slightly toothed, dark green and shiny, evergreen basal leaves which actually only live for 8 months and are regularly replaced by new leaves.
Elsa blooms very early and abundantly, for long weeks from September. Its single flowers are composed of 5 petals that form a very open corolla, with a ribbed velvet appearance, with violet veins running through the reddish surface. The yellow heart contrasts quite strongly with the colour of the petals, which further enhances the aesthetics of these flowers. As with most varieties, these brightly coloured corollas are arranged in a vertical plane, or even slightly inclined downwards, allowing water to slide off like an umbrella, avoiding accumulation in the heart that could rot. Rising well above the dark mass of foliage, Elsa's flowers are highly visible and very decorative in autumn.
Hellebores do not like to be moved once established, with young plants sometimes taking time to flower, so be sure to choose its location carefully.

This Viv Elsa Hellebore will brighten up your autumns with its vibrant and abundant flowering. As a flagship plant for autumn, Elsa will be the starting point for a border that will allow you to enjoy blooms all year round. The many other varieties of Hellebores available will also allow you to flower your winter. Consider enhancing your semi-shaded border with Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis), with their charming white bells full of life in the heart, in late winter. Bergenia, of which there are several varieties with often vibrant, white or pink flowers, will then take over until spring. The cultivar Eden's Dark Margin will be a perfect companion for Elsa, with its leaves turning purple in winter and thus contrasting with those of our Hellebore.