Success with hellebores in MN zone 4

18 years ago

I want to try a hellebore or two this year, there is a sun/shade garden on the east side of my home, somewhat sloped, with good drainage that I think would be my best chance for success. Does anybody have any suggestions as to a specific cultivar that I should try first? In 2005, xhybridus was named Perennial Plant of the Year, it claims to be zone 4-9, I would probably start there unless anybody has any better ideas or experience to share.

Thanks, Helen.

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Comments (6)

leftwood
18 years ago
A xhybridus type should definitely be the easiest. Although the species are fantastic, they will probably be pickier, even if they have cultivar names attached to them. Something like H. nigra 'Beauty'(a fictious name)would be a species with a cultivar name. The Sunset and Sunrise strains, which you may find erroneously named as hybrids, are not hybrids. They are wild forms found on the Triglav in Slovenia (east of Italy). I have had very good luck with a Royal Heritage hybrid.

Rick
tedb_threecedarfarm
18 years ago
I probably have 25+ hellebore, the bulk being x hybridus. My favorites are a strain called 'Mardi-Gras' but I don't have a good source for it. I've been a little underwhelmed by Royal Heritage but with a seed strain there is some variability so maybe my plants are not the best representives. I've been very happy with plants I ordered from Pine Knot Farm down in VA. The plants were BEAUTIFUL and Judith, who runs the nursery was super nice.

Ted
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leftwood
18 years ago
Royal Heritage is the only one I have had for more than a year. I really don't have anything to compare it to. It's nice to have someone that does.

25+ - impressive. I think we know who our Helleborus expert is here. Thanks Ted!
heleninramsey
Original Author
18 years ago
Rick and Ted,

Thank you both for your input, I will set about finding a couple of nice xhybridus varieties to begin with...

Helen.
tedb_threecedarfarm
18 years ago
More of a junkie then an expert. They do seem to like my open loamy woods.

Ted
laurampls
18 years ago
All:

Hellebores are wonderful plants! Mine are always blooming under the mulch when I take it off in March, and the blooms stay on until at least July for me. Last summer, several of my white xhybridus started reblooming in mid-July, which was an unexpected bonus.

Like Ted, I've found xhybridus Royal Heritage a bit underwhelming. The colors I have seem awfully muddy --- most are sort of liverish red. The foliage is always terrific, though. In contrast to the Royal Heritage, I love my Ivory Prince hellebores (Helleborus x nigersmithii 'Walhelivor'). They are listed as hardy to zone 5 or 6 although they've come through the last four winters for me, including last years' January drop from 40 to -15 with no snow cover; I use an oak leaf mulch about 4-5" deep but no other special treatment.

Laura