Helleborus hybridus ViV Lucrezia

Oriental Hellebore ViV Lucrezia is a recent variety that will delight winter flowering enthusiasts. Flowering for several weeks from January, this Lenten Rose produces "Anemone-like" yellow flowers, with 5 well-spread petals, serving as a frame for a central collar surrounding a bouquet of stamens. Forming a small dense and sturdy clump, it is a robust and hardy perennial, to be grown in all regions, in humus-rich soil that is not too dry. Grow it in partial shade, at the foot of trees, in the company of other shade-loving perennials, or even in a pot, which will perfectly suit its compact habit.

The ViV Hellebores are varieties obtained through in vitro multiplication. Unlike varieties obtained through seed, Hellebores produced byu 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 Lucrezia belongs to the family of Ranunculaceae, which includes about sixty genera and around 2500 species, most of which are herbaceous. The species Helleborus orientalis is native to Greece, Turkey, and the central and eastern Caucasus. It is a perennial plant that hybridizes very easily with other species, resulting in hybrids with varied colours and forms. These hybrids are rarely given variety names; they are distinguished by their shape and colour. Oriental Hellebore is a hardy plant that can withstand temperatures down to -15°C, naturally growing in forests, thickets, and clearings up to 2,000 m (2,187 yards) altitude.

This variety is also known as Anemone-flowered Hellebore, Lucrezia forms a compact clump only 35 to 45 cm (14 to 18in) tall, with a width of about thirty. Its foliage consists 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. Lucrezia blooms in the heart of winter, mainly from January to February, bringing light to the garden under dark skies. Its beautiful light yellow flowers are formed by 5 well-spread petals, adorned with a central collar, itself surrounding a yellow stamen cluster. These sculptural, charming flowers are borne by long peduncles that stand out clearly from the mass of evergreen foliage, making them highly visible with their light colour. They are inclined downwards to let water slide off like an umbrella and protect the heart, which would otherwise rot. Hellebores do not like to be moved once established, and young plants sometimes take time to flower, so make sure to choose their location carefully.

This Hellebore is a boon in the garden at the beginning of the year with its magnificent yellow flowers. It will be perfect for enlivening a partial shade bed during dark winter days. To cover the entire season, mix it with other varieties like the incredible Hellebore Magic Double rose, a truly magical plant whose flowering, from February to April, covers a whole range of colours, from white to purple, pink, and mauve. To stay with an unusual tone, go for Epimedium grandiflorum Purple Pixie, a perennial perfectly suited to moist shade and which will enchant you with its surprising cross-shaped pinkish-purple flowers.