Ivory Prince Hellebore

Late winter doesn’t have to be a time of waiting in the garden – it can be a time of flowers, if you plant the Ivory Prince Hellebore. Blooming often by February, and all through March and April, this great plant overcomes the problems of older varieties because the flowers don’t hang their heads – they stand up proud and open their petals to the world. A complex hybrid packed with vigor, you will be amazed how quickly this plant takes to your garden, and soon becomes a large, strong plant with an abundance of flowers like you have never seen. The buds are soft burgundy, opening to reveal an ivory-white center surrounding golden stamens. As the flowers age over the weeks, they turn soft shades of rose and pale chartreuse green. Always attractive, this plant is great in beds beneath trees or the shade of large shrubs, in woodlands, or if you are in a warmer zone, growing in pots. The leathery leaves are especially attractive, with silver veining.

• Ivory-white blooms that open wide and flat
• Burgundy-rose buds and back of the petals
• Long blooming – up to 10 weeks
• Flowers between winter and spring
• Leathery leaves are a good year-round ground cover

Grow the Ivory Prince Hellebore in partial shade, with some morning sun preferred. Light full shade is also suitable, such as beneath large deciduous trees. Very adaptable to most well-drained soil, preferring rich, alkaline soils that are generally moist, although it’s drought-resistant once well-established. Add some compost, and some lime if your soil is acidic, when planting. Cut off flowering stems and any old, damaged or unsightly leaves, once flowering is over. Ignored by deer and rabbits, and almost never suffers any attack by pests or diseases.