Plant of the Month – October – Hellebore

Hellebores are the perfect choice for adding some colour to your garden later in the year.

Characteristics

These compact plants are easy to grow and have nodding flowers in shades of green, white, pink, purple and even a blackish purple. Set amongst clumps of evergreen leaves, some varieties can flower as early as November whilst others wait until late in the winter to bloom. Able to withstand severe cold and even snow, the hellebore is a long flowering plant that is also known as the Christmas Rose!

Care

Hellebores love moist but well drained soil in a nice shady spot. They can tolerate sunnier areas as long as the ground does not dry out too much. For best results, plant in October through to March before the ground loses too much moisture. As the beautiful flower heads tend to droop over, a lot of their features are best seen from below – try planting hellebores on slopes or retaining walls. Prune the plant in late winter or early spring when new growth appears and trim old leaves back to the base to encourage new growth. Mulch annually to ensure healthy plant growth.

We have plenty of quality plants in stock in a wide range of varieties including Alessia, Vera, Jesse, Frost, Alma and Celestina. Prices start from £14.99.