Helleborus

Helleborus orientalis, commonly known as the Lenten rose, brings gentle colour to the garden when little else is flowering. Its nodding, cup‑shaped blooms open in soft pink shades from late winter into early spring, hovering above handsome, leathery green foliage.

This clump‑forming perennial grows to around 45cm tall and wide, making it easy to tuck into borders, underplant shrubs, or feature in large pots near a doorway. The flowers are long‑lasting and look lovely with early bulbs, grasses and spring woodland plants.

Plant in fertile, humus‑rich soil that stays moist but drains freely. A spot in partial shade is ideal, though it will also cope with some sun in cooler areas. Choose a sheltered position and mulch in autumn to keep the roots comfortable through winter.

Set plants at the same depth they were growing in the pot, water in well, and keep evenly moist while they establish. In late winter, tidy away tired leaves to show off the flowers and reduce leaf‑spot problems. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring.

Because hellebores flower early, they can provide nectar and pollen for emerging bees when other sources are scarce. Once established they’re low‑fuss, returning each year with reliable winter‑into‑spring interest and a fresh flush of foliage as temperatures rise.

A truly exquisite and much sought-after Lenten Rose, 'Double Ellen Yellow Spotted' is a winter and early spring treasure. It produces beautiful, large, nodding or outward-facing, fully double flowers. The blooms are composed of multiple layers of ruffled petals in a gorgeous shade of creamy, primrose-yellow. Each petal is then delicately and artistically speckled and spotted with a contrasting rich shade of burgundy or deep red, with the spotting often being heaviest towards the centre of the flower. These stunning blooms are held on strong stems above handsome clumps of leathery, divided, deep green, evergreen foliage. They provide a vital source of colour and interest when little else is happening in the garden and are a welcome sight for early-emerging pollinators.

A truly captivating and elegant Lenten Rose, 'Double Ellen White Spotted' is a must-have for the late winter and early spring garden. It produces stunning, large, nodding or outward-facing, fully double flowers. The blooms are composed of many layers of silky, ruffled petals, creating a very full, luxurious effect. The base colour is a clean, creamy-white, which acts as the perfect canvas for the dramatic and artistic speckling of deep burgundy-maroon spots. The spotting is unique to each flower, often concentrated towards the centre, drawing the eye in. These beautiful blooms are held on strong, sturdy stems above handsome clumps of leathery, palmate, deep green foliage that remains evergreen. They are a godsend in the garden, providing exquisite colour and detail when little else is in bloom, and are a vital early food source for emerging bees.

A pristine and elegant member of the acclaimed 'Double Ellen' series, this Hellebore is a beacon of light in the late winter garden. It produces beautiful, large, fully double flowers of the purest, snow-white. Each perfect, cup-shaped bloom is packed with layers of silky petals, creating a magnificent, ruffled, rose-like effect that is simply breathtaking. The flowers nod gracefully on strong, upright stems above a handsome clump of leathery, deep green, evergreen foliage. 'Double Ellen White' is a sophisticated and reliable choice for illuminating a shady border or woodland garden, providing clean, classic colour when little else is in bloom. Like all hellebores, it is a vital early food source for emerging queen bumblebees, making it as valuable for wildlife as it is for its serene beauty.

A truly dramatic and sumptuous Hellebore, 'Double Ellen Red' is a star performer in the winter garden. It produces large, cup-shaped, fully double flowers of the most incredibly deep and velvety, wine-red. The colour is rich and saturated, and the petals have a beautiful, silky sheen. Each bloom is packed with layers of petals, creating a ruffled, rose-like effect. The flowers are held on strong stems, often facing outwards more than other varieties, showing off their magnificent colour to great effect. They appear from late winter through to mid-spring, providing a much-needed splash of rich, jewel-toned colour. The handsome, palmate foliage is tough, leathery, and evergreen, forming a neat clump that provides interest all year round. This variety is perfect for brightening a shady corner and is a lifeline for early-emerging pollinators.

A particularly enchanting and detailed Hellebore, 'Double Ellen Pink Spotted' offers intricate beauty for the late winter garden. Like its siblings in the 'Double Ellen' series, it produces large, gorgeous, fully double flowers that nod gracefully from strong stems. The base colour of the ruffled, layered petals is a soft, creamy pink. Each petal is then exquisitely decorated with a fine freckling of deep, magenta-purple spots, with the spotting often being more concentrated towards the centre of the bloom. This creates a wonderfully detailed and captivating effect. The leathery, dark green foliage is evergreen, providing a handsome backdrop for the flowers and year-round garden presence. This variety is perfect for a special spot in a shady border or a container where its unique, speckled beauty can be admired up close.

A truly charming and beautiful Hellebore, 'Double Ellen Pink' is celebrated for its romantic, fully double flowers that bring a soft flush of colour to the garden at the end of winter. Each large, downward-nodding bloom is packed with layers of ruffled petals in a lovely shade of clear, soft pink. The colour is pure and gentle, without any heavy veining or spotting, giving the plant a very elegant and refined appearance. The flowers are held on strong stems above the handsome, evergreen foliage, creating a beautiful display for many weeks from late winter into spring. This variety is perfect for adding a touch of gentle colour to shady corners, woodland gardens, or containers, where its early blooms can be appreciated up close. It is a reliable and graceful performer that is sure to win hearts.

A truly exquisite and highly sought-after Hellebore, 'Double Ellen Picotee' brings a touch of sophisticated magic to the late winter and early spring garden. It produces magnificent, fully double, cup-shaped flowers that nod gracefully on strong stems. Each bloom is a work of art, with layers of creamy white or pale green petals that are delicately and precisely outlined in a beautiful shade of rosy-pink or deep magenta. This 'picotee' edge gives the flower a stunning, hand-painted appearance. The handsome, leathery, dark green foliage is evergreen, providing year-round structure and interest. This is a must-have plant for bringing colour and elegance to shady borders long before most other plants have woken up, providing a vital nectar source for early emerging bees.

A truly sophisticated and beautiful Lenten Rose, 'Double Ellen Green' is prized for its unique and elegant flowers. In late winter and early spring, it produces large, exquisite, fully double blooms. The flowers are composed of many layers of ruffled petals in a gorgeous shade of fresh, chartreuse or lime-green. Some flowers may have subtle, deeper green veining or a fine picotee edge of reddish-purple, adding to their complexity and charm. The nodding or outward-facing blooms are held on strong stems above handsome clumps of leathery, evergreen foliage. It brings a cool, refined elegance to the shady garden at a time when colour is scarce and provides a vital nectar source for early-pollinating insects. A must-have for any hellebore enthusiast or woodland garden.