Helleborus SP ALICE® hellebore, Lenten rose
size/type
low perennial,low perennial
usual height
0,3-0,4m
usual width
0,3-0,5m
leaves
evergreen broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
January-March
location
semi-shade to shade
USDA zone (lowest)
5 (down to -29°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Hellebore (Lenten rose) is not a new plant to Czech and Slovak gardens. I remember those flowering stems that surprisingly pushed through the snow in late winter and I kept asking grandma how come that a plant can flower while there is still snow on the ground. These evergreen perennials are still very popular, mainly thanks to newly hybridized varieties with fantastic flowers. Spring Promise® series was developed and bred by Josef Heuger in Germany, and consists of very attractive varieties of large flowers of various shapes and colours.
Description of the plant:
Alice® is another Lenten rose from Spring Promise® series that looks like the most noble water lily. Its flowers are medium to large, white with deep burgundy red margins and veins, and may appear from January if the winter is mild. Stems are mostly upright, about 35-40 cm tall. Leaves are leathery, deep green, palmately divided into 5 leaflets. They are frost hardy to about -15°C, then they die back and re-emerge in spring after flowering. Bred by Joseph Heuger in 2007. Hellebore likes heavy, evenly moist, neutral to alkaline, rich in humus soil in dappled shade or filtered sun. This hybrid will prefer at least half a day with direct sunlight. Fertilizing will increase flowering and help the leaves remain strong and nice throughout the winter. Grow it somewhere near your house entrance or close to the window you look out of frequently so that you can enjoy the plant when it starts flowering since at that time the weather outside is not yet ideal for walking around the garden. The flowers can cheer up a number of grey and dull days of late winter therefore thumbs up for hellebore! Hardy to min. -29°C (USDA zone 5).
Last update 30-01-2019
WANT TO TRY A SIMILAR PLANT?
