Helleborus x nigercors by Graham Rice

Helleborus x nigercors
Helleborus x nigercors J. T. Wall

An excellent prolific and long flowering hybrid combining features from both parents to create one of the best garden hellebores .

Description

Growing to about 15in/38cm high, but quickly making a broad clump, the foliage is split into three bold broad, mat green, evenly toothed segments. The flowers, from January to April, show features of both parents. Some appear singly or in twos, others in taller and more generous clusters. Usually rather flat and about 3-4iin/7.5-10cn across, they may be white, white with green tints, or rather creamy, often with a green stripe down the centre of each petal. They age to green but often develop pretty peachy tints in the process ensuring that each individual flower maintains its appeal for an unusually long time.

Natural distribution and habitat

A garden hybrid between H. niger and H. argutifolius.

Cultivation

Happy in a range of conditions from full sun to shade, and in most soils, generous preparation ensures vigorous growth and a long and prolific season. It pays to cut much of the foliage away in late autumn, as with H. hybridus, to help prevent blackspot and to ensure that the flowers are revealed. The flowers are unusual in lasting well when cut, even though the fat stems are rather short. Propagation is by division in late August or September, although it pays to leave the plants to mature into a large clump. The plant is sterile.

In the garden

Dwarf bulbs set around the original when is planted will soon be absorbed iinto the clump as it spreads and peep through amongst the flowers.


H. x nigercors in its prime in Graham's garden

The same plant of H. x nigercors in the picture above, but two months later showing the attractive ageing of the flowers.