Helleborus × hybridus Harvington black
Lenten rose hellebore
The almost true-black flowers of this new variety are a stunning sight, particularly when they are just beginning to open. They are...
2 litre pot
£24.99
available to order from late spring
1
Plant description
The almost true-black flowers of this new variety are a stunning sight, particularly when they are just beginning to open. They are mostly outward facing (all the better for seeing them), although some may be more pendent, but they all have an alluring sumptuous velvet-like appearance, which is picked up by the purple-flushed, deep green foliage. Flowering in late winter and early spring, they will add interest to shady borders, woodland gardens or patio pots. To create an interesting contrast, plant with snowdrops and/or creamy white flowering daffodils.
Eventual height & spread
Flowering period
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Plant features
Position
Light shade
Rate of growth
Average
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness
Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)
How to care for Helleborus × hybridus Harvington Black:
Add lots of well-rotted leaf mould or organic matter to the planting hole. Cut the old leaves back down to the ground in January or February as this will show off the new emerging flowers to best effect. It will also help to get rid of foliar diseases such as Hellebore leaf spot. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the plant in autumn and provide a top-dressing of general fertiliser each spring. Cut off the seed heads to prevent inferior seedlings colonising.
Please note:
This perennial is semi-evergreen so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
Warning
Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten; skin irritant
Heavenly helleborus
Once March arrives spring is definitely on the horizon and the gardener begins to stir, along with the bees and birds. There’s literally a buzz in the air and the earliest bees to arrive are often buff-tailed bumblebee queens (Bombus terrestris) fresh out
Read full article