Hellebore – A Flower with Spunk
As the fall leaves drop and the cooler weather arrives, it’s hard to imagine a winter landscape that is alive with color and texture. But you don’t have to do without beautiful blooms throughout the long, cold days of winter. If you’re looking to add color to your frost-covered landscape, we have just the thing – hellebores. These winter wonders are packed with flower power and are essential for any cold-weather garden.
With lots of colors to choose from, you’ll have a difficult time selecting just one variety of these shade-loving perennials. Hellebores take center stage in the garden in late winter and into early spring. Thriving in shade, these evergreen plants manage to thwart off frost and wind damage, producing some of the most captivating flowers you’ll ever see. Here’s a few our favorite varieties:
Hellebores Pink Frost – burgundy stems support leathery leaves with a silver frosting. The flowers are a combination of white, pink, and deep rose tones and are upward facing – unusual for a hellebore. ‘Pink Frost’ is evergreen, long blooming, and deer resistant too! Makes a superb ground-cover and choice perennial for shady borders.
Hellebore Jacob – characterized by its smooth, dark green foliage with striking, crisp 2-3 inch white flowers. This early bloomer flowers from mid-November to January, just in time for the holidays! The flowers mature to a pink and rose color in cool temperatures. In warmer temperatures, they mature to light green. Hellebores can be used in containers, in flower beds or simply tucked under a tree. Jacob is the perfect cure for long winters and cabin fever. Oh, and just one more thing…they’re deer resistant too.
Hellebore Jesko – features large, pure, white blooms maturing to pale yellow-green. Evergreen leaves are deep green with a leathery texture. Jesko has a compact habit and is easy to grow. Blooms in early winter and is ideal for patio pots, entryways and as a ground-cover in the landscape. Prefers moist, well-drained soil and is deer resistant. Once planted and established, Jesko will bring joy to the garden for many years to come.
Hellebore Merlin – this magical perennial boasts outward-facing, light pink to pink flowers brushed with cranberry on burgundy tinted stems. It’s foliage is a rich green with light veining all year long. Merlin blooms from late winter to early spring and prefers well drained soil in partial to full shade with protection from the winter winds. Perfect planted in beds, borders or in containers. Merlin is sure to cast a colorful spell in your winter garden.
