| A rose is a rose is a rose… but not when it’s
a winter rose, or hellebore! When you look closely at the intricate flowers,
it’s no surprise they’ve been associated with magic and witchcraft; the
roots were waved over cattle to protectthem from evil, and sorcerers were
said to use the plants to make themselves invisible!
Hellebores originated in Europe and western Asia but are now popular garden perennials throughout the world because of their adaptability, hardiness and stunning flowers. These green, purple, pink or white flowers are unusual in that it is the sepals which provide the colour, while the petals have evolved into tiny but ornate nectaries (nectar-secreting organs) to attract pollinating insects. As one of the earliest perennials, hellebores bloom when most temperate gardens are desperate for a little colour and, because most species are evergreen or deciduous for only a relatively short time, the bold leaves provide a striking foliage contrast for the rest of the year. They are ideal woodland plants (even under eucalypts), and some species will naturalise readily if your soil is rich, regularly watered and not too thickly mulched. Hellebores also make outstanding cut flowers. Because the stems are hollow, the cut ends should be seared over an open flame or dunked in boiling water to seal them. Once this is done, the cut blooms will last for months - yes, months! - in the vase! CULTIVATION: Hellebores prefer a temperate climate and shade or semi-shade in all but very cool regions, where you can plant them in a sunny, sheltered spot. Give them a neutral to alkaline, humus-rich soil, and protection from dry winds and hot summer sun. In humid climates where winter roses may suffer from fungal attack, choose a more open, well-ventilated spot, and space plants more widely apart. Drainage should always be excellent to minimise root-rot problems. Because many are deciduous during the summer, hellebores will tolerate surprisingly dry conditions once they’re well-established; but provide a little extra moisture and they’ll reward you with masses of spectacular flowers from mid-winter until Christmas.
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