Purple Hellebore

Hellebores are also known as ‘The Christmas Rose’ as they flower around Christmas. This variety will do best outdoors either in a pot on a doorstep or patio or planted directly in the ground.

Choose a spot out of direct sunlight where you can enjoy the winter flowers. You will probably find our winter rain provides plenty of water but if we do have a dry spell give your hellebore a drink – you are aiming to keep the soil damp at all times.

After flowering your Hellebore can be repotted in a larger pot with suitable compost, and put outside on a patio or balcony or it can be planted out in the garden. Hellebores like semi shade and a damp but well drained spot and often work well in the shade of larger shrubs or trees. Over time your hellebore can grow into a sizeable bush producing pretty white flowers in the depths of winter. Once established they are very hardy and will continue to flower even when snow is on the ground.

Old foliage and spent flowers should be removed to keep the plant healthy, especially indoors and in a pot. Don"t be surprised if your plant doesn"t look too bushy in the summer months when it is resting - it will soon come back with more growth and flowers next autumn.