Helleborus hybridus ViV Fiorentina

Oriental Hellebore Viv Fiorentina is a new variety with beautiful pink flowers. Blooming for several weeks from September, this Lenten Rose produces single flowers, larger than most other varieties clearly visible above the dark green foliage. These sculptural, evergreen leaves are decorative all year round. It is a robust and hardy perennial, easy to grow in all regions. It prefers humus-rich, well-drained soils that are not too dry. It especially needs moisture and protection from strong sunlight and can thrive in shade.

The ViV Hellebores are varieties produced by in-vitro multiplication. Unlike varieties produced by seed, Hellebores produced by in-vitro guarantee flowers that are 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 regular manner.

Hellebore Viv Fiorentina belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, which includes about sixty genera and approximately 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 forms. Variety names are rarely given to these hybrids, instead, they are distinguished by their shape and colour characteristics. The Oriental Hellebore is a hardy plant that can tolerate temperatures as low as -15°C (5°F), naturally growing in forests, thickets, and clearings up to 2,000 m (6.600 ft) altitude.

This variety forms a clump 35 to 45 cm (14 to 18in) tall and equally wide with palmate, slightly toothed, dark green and shiny evergreen basal leaves which actually only live for 8 months and are regularly replaced by new leaves.
Fiorentina starts flowering from September for long weeks, until October. Its single flowers, about 7 cm (3in) in diameter, are composed of 5 slightly wavy petals. The pink corollas get their colour from a dense network of veins, surrounding a yellow centre that creates a delicate contrast. As with most varieties, these corollas are arranged in a vertical plane, or even slightly inclined downwards, allowing water to slide off like an umbrella and avoiding accumulation in the centre that could cause rotting. Hellebore does not like to be moved once established, with young plants sometimes taking time to flower so choose their location carefully.

This Viv Fiorentina Hellebore is a true gem for autumn, with beautiful, colourful pink flowers. Flowering at a different time to most other perennials, it will liven up a semi-shaded bed and allow you to have flowers all year round. You can associate it with other varieties of winter-flowering Hellebores, such as the famous Helleborus niger, or Christmas Rose, with its beautiful white flowers with many yellow stamens from December to March. From April, the Brunneras will take over with their small white or blue flowers, reminiscent of Forget-me-nots, and their decorative foliage. Ranunculus acris Multiplex, a horticultural Buttercup with bright yellow double flowers, will brighten up the days from May to July, and to enjoy exceptional flowers all summer long, go for Fuchsia Voodoo, a true splendour with large red and purple flowers.