Helleborus x nigercors 'MELCHIOR' Lenten rose, hybrid hellebore
size/type
low perennial,low perennial
usual height
0,2-0,3m
usual width
0,3-0,6m
leaves
evergreen broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
January-March
location
semi-shade / partial sun
USDA zone (lowest)
5b (down to -27°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.
Description of the plant:
Melchior is a hybrid hellebore, raised from crossing Corsican hellebore with Christmas rose. The result is an evergreen perennial with leathery, marginally serrated leaves of dark green colour with blue-green overlay. From midwinter it produces short stems with large flowers 5-7 cm. They are white with light green shades in the bottoms at tips of petals. Centres are decorated with yellow stamens. Hellebore likes heavy, evenly moist, neutral to alkaline, rich in humus soil in dappled shade or filtered sun. This hybrid will prefer partial shade all year round, especially in winter as protection against strong late winter sunshine. 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 about -25°C (USDA zone 5b).
Last update 04-02-2013
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