Hellebores
A little bit about hellebores
Got a shady outdoor spot in need of colour? Hardy hellebores are a delightful way to brighten it up. Hellebores feature beautiful, open flowers ranging from lime green and mauve, to white, dusty pink and crimson. As a clump-forming plant, hellebores are great for propagation and given the right care, can last for many years. Although commonly known as the ‘winter rose’, hellebores are not related to the rose family, but in fact belong to the Ranunculaceae. They’re still just as beautiful!
Note:Â Hellebores, while beautiful, are poisonous to both animals and humans. Do not ingest any part of this plant.
Botanical name: Helleborus
Other names:Â Winter rose, Lenten rose, Christmas rose
Height: 30 - 60 centimetres Width: 30 centimetres
Ideal position: Hellebores like a partly-shaded spot with moist, cool conditions and humus-rich soil - however it must be well-draining as they don't like waterlogging. Hellebores can be also planted in a pot.
When do they bloom? Flowers appear in winter and spring.
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Caring for your hellebores
Prepare
Once you've found the perfect position for your hellebores, enrich the soil with an organic composted material, such as Supersoil Professional Enriched Cow Manure. This will add plenty of nutrients for your hellebore to feed on.
Water
After planting, water in well - hellebores grow best in moist soil. Keep in mind, though, that they don't like to be waterlogged, so it's vital to strike the right balance by ensuring the soil drains well.
Feed
A top dressing of compost or manure after flowering is beneficial. To stop your hellebores from completely drying out in summer, add a layer of thick mulch to keep the soil moist.
Prune
As a low-growing plant, hellebores don’t need much pruning. However, to stop self-seeding, cut spent flowers before seed pods form. Or leave the spent flowers until the seed pods fully develop (when the seeds turn black), then harvest and scatter where you’d like more hellebores to grow! Cut flower heads after seeds drop.
Protect
Hellebores are rarely bothered by pests, but occasionally you may see aphids. Combat them with a pyrethrum insecticide.
Where to buy Hellebores in Sydney
Looking to add more hellebores to your Sydney garden? You can find them at all 10 Flower Power Garden Centres, or online at flowerpower.com.au.