Helleborus argutifolius
at Digging Dog

Corsican Hellebore

Helleborus

Christmas Rose/Lenten Rose

Stories about this genus are countless. In medieval times, it was considered a weapon against witches, madness and evil spirits. Hellebores deserve a place in every garden, not only because of their supposed power, but because they bloom for a long time, early in winter, when the weather is cool and most other flowers are still dormant.

They like moist, loamy soil with lime and leaf mold. We like them as ground covers for deciduous shrubs, conifers, or broad-leafed evergreens, and when possible plant them in an elevated spot to admire their nodding flowers.

Helleborus argutifolius   

This native of Corsica and Sardinia is one of the largest Hellebores, with big racemes of light green, cup-shaped flowers nodding well above gray-green foliage. The sturdy leaves of this bushy, subshrublike plant have veins of ivory and small teeth that turn red with age. Try it as a foil for Omphalodes ‘Cherry Ingram’ and Pulmonarias.

Blooms February–April.

Size: 18"–2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 6.

Helleborus argutifolius (p-0087)
Each $7.50
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