HELLEBORUS niger  \nA clump-forming, winter blooming perennial which rarely grows more than 9 inches tall. \nKnown universally as Christmas Rose but if truth be told Lenten Rose would be much nearer the mark because in the garden it is usually late January or February before the blooms appear. \nIn Germany it is called Schneerose (The Snow Rose) and this is perhaps far more appropriate. \nThe dark green semi-evergreen leaves of Christmas Rose are deeply lobed, they have a somewhat waxy or leathery look and give off an unpleasant odour when crushed. \nLarge, round, pure white flat-faced, flowers with yellow stamens appear singly on short thick stems in very early spring and mature to salmon pink as the mature 8-10 weeks later. \nOne of the earliest (some say the earliest) flowers to bloom Helleborus niger loves a fertile, slightly shaded site with plenty of humus and is ideal for planting at the front of a shaded border or beneath shrubs and trees. \nCan also be grown successfully in tubs and containers using a John Innes based compost and if kept under cover in a frost free greenhouse or cold frame may be encouraged to flower early. \nHellebores were at one time planted close to doorways to prevent evil spirits from entering the building. \n An extremely rugged plant once established, they may become rather ragged and tattered in extreme weather but if carefully trimmed back will recover very quickly. \n When planting Heleborus niger add plenty of well rotted farmyard manure or compost to the site and in autumn give the plants a generous mulch of similar material then top dress with a general fertilizer in spring. \n All parts of the plant are poisonous and will cause severe discomfort if eaten, the sap can also cause skin irritation. \nIn gardens all over the world Christmas Rose is by far the showiest, certainly the best known and probably the most commonly grown hellebore. \nRoyal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit (AGM). \nAll pictures used are of mature plants in full bloom, they are for illustion purposes only and may not necessarily reflect plants at all times of the year. \nOur Helleborus are supplied ex. 9cm pots, they can be planted out immediately but better results may be obtained if they are grown on for a short time in a slightly larger container before transplanting to their final growing positions. \nFor some very helpful advice LearnHowToGrow \nPACK 1 PLANT \nIMMEDIATE \n \nOur wide and varied range of Perennials can be view here. \nWe ask all our buyers to remember Hellebores are living items and their appearance changes with the seasons.  Please don’t panic if the plant you receive looks different to the image on the website. This is quite normal and not a matter for any worry or concern, it is likely to be in perfect condition for the time of year. Particularly in autumn and winter many shrubs will lose their leaves and look rather bare, gaunt and stick-like and from August onwards many perennial plants may not even be showing above the soil. \n We want you to be happy with your purchase and all our Hellebores are checked and inspected visually