Helleborus HGC® Ice N' Roses® Rose Hellebore

Helleborus HGC® Ice N' Roses® Rose is an evergreen perennial offering year-round interest. Uniform and freely flowering from winter to mid-spring, the plant sets icy pink single flowers in profusion, even when young. Borne on long, sturdy stems above glossy, dark green leaves, the upward-facing to slightly nodding flowers last a long time, sustain early pollinators, and make cute kitchen table bouquets or lovely additions to cut floral arrangements.

A vigorous herbaceous plant, Ice N' Roses is a Helleborus hybrid, commonly called Lenten rose or hellebore. This hellebore has an upright, clumping habit of leathery, palmate leaves and a moderately vigorous growth rate. Shown to best effect when massed or grouped in beds, borders, and patio pots or under a high-branched deciduous tree or large shrub, protected from strong winter winds. The plant makes a lovely ground cover and will naturalize, slowly spreading via rhizomatous roots. It also self-seeds in ideal growing conditions but will not become invasive.

Cold hardy, easy to grow, and low maintenance, hellebore grows best in dappled to full shade locations with humus rich, well-draining soil, having an alkaline pH. However, it grows well in most soils, including chalk, clay, and loam, and in most growing conditions. Fertilize in early spring. Once established, the plant is drought tolerant, but it will not tolerate extremely wet, waterlogged soils and only needs water in the hottest weather. It is deer and rabbit resistant.

Photo credit (C)Heuger.