Helleborus niger
(Christmas Rose)
Family - Ranunculaceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland
Season of Interest - Spring, Autumn, Winter
Hardiness - H7
Height - up to 30cm
Width - up to 45cm
Location - The Woodland Walk
Description: A clump-forming Perennial with a mound-forming habit. Leathery, dark green, palmately-lobed leaves have oblong to oval leaflets with coarsely toothed margins. White, saucer-shaped flowers have yellow-green nectaries and Anthers at the centre of each Bloom. The flowers are produced singly or in Cymes and are often held beneath the taller leaves. The Blooms are produced from midwinter into early spring, though occasionally they make an appearance in time for Christmas. Attractive to bees.
Flower:
White saucer-shaped flowers have yellow-green nectaries and anthers at the centre of each bloom. The flowers are produced singly or in cymes and are often held beneath the foliage. The blooms are produced from January into March (occasionally earlier) and may develop a pink tinge with age.
Flower colour: White
Flower shape: Saucer-shaped flowers held singly or in cymes
Flowering time: January, February, March
Foliage:
Leathery, dark green, palmately-lobed leaves have oblong to oval leaflets with Dentate margins. The leaves are held at the base of the plant.
Foliage Senescence: Semi-evergreen
Foliage Shape: Palmately-lobed leaves with oblong to oval leaflets
Poison Information:
Will cause discomfort if ingested.
Propagation:
Division, seed.
Cultivation:
Best in partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained.