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Helleborus x ballardiae B. Mathew
One of the less common but nevertheless valuable garden hybrids.
Description
A very attractive, slightly tender plant for sunny borders or the cold greenhouse. This apparently unlikely hybrid, combining the qualities of both parents, reaches about 12-14in/30-35cm in height. The foliage is similar to that of H. niger, with up to eight divisions, but with a silvery sheen and pale veins. From December to April short stems carry three or four flowers, usually pinkish green on the outside and a pale creamy green with pink tones on the inside but the colouring can combine these three shades in varying degrees, with soft stripes sometimes seen. Flowers with four petals seem unusually frequent.
Natural distribution and habitat
A garden hybrid between H. niger x H. lividus, formerly known as "H. x nigriliv"
Cultivation
Inheriting some lack of hardiness from H. lividus, H. x ballardiae thrives outside in well drained containers and sunny, sheltered, well drained borders in the south of England; it is also excellent as a cold greenhouse and alpine house plant, where it can look superb. It is unusually prone to black spot, so keep the foliage dry when watering and spray at the first sign. Propagate by division, plants are sterile.
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