Hellebore 'Double Ellen Pink Spotted' (Helleborus)

Where to Plant:

This beautiful Lenten Rose, featuring exquisite double pink flowers speckled with a darker maroon, is a perfect plant for brightening shady areas in late winter and spring. It thrives in partial or dappled shade, making it ideal for planting under the canopy of deciduous trees or large shrubs. The soil should be fertile, rich in organic matter, and moist but well-drained. It appreciates a neutral to alkaline soil and does not like to be in waterlogged ground or in hot, direct sun.

How to Plant:

You can plant container-grown hellebores at any time of year, though autumn and spring are ideal. Dig a hole and improve the soil by adding plenty of well-rotted leaf mould or garden compost. This is crucial for providing the rich conditions it loves. Place the plant in the hole, ensuring that the crown, where the roots meet the stem, is exactly level with the surface of the soil. Planting too deeply is a common cause of failure. Backfill, firm gently, and water thoroughly.

Aftercare:

Each year, in the middle of winter around January, it is very important to carefully cut away all of the old, large leaves from the previous year. This allows the beautiful flowers to be seen clearly and helps to prevent the spread of fungal diseases like hellebore leaf spot. After the plant has finished flowering in spring, apply a balanced fertiliser and a mulch of well-rotted compost around the plant, being careful to avoid the crown.