specializing in helleborus x hybridus
Offering hellebore plants and seeds from a truly special Helleborus collection!
Hellebore Seeds
Helleborus Seed Offerings for 2021
We ship hellebore seeds during the summer months. Currently we offer hellebore seeds in broad categories. If you were to order from each category, you would have an instant hellebore collection that includes much of what is possible in Helleborus x hybridus. ** Please refer to the file above for pricing and ordering instructions.
- Helleborus x hybridus House Blend: these are seeds from our yearly, inspired hand-pollinated crosses (no two years are the same; like ordering the "chef's special" at a restaurant).
- Helleborus x hybridus Gold Blend: these are seeds from plants that have flowers with gold/yellow nectaries (these are great for long-lasting flower color in spring as the flowers tend to resist turning green after pollination).
- Helleborus x hybridus Bicolor Blend: these are seeds from plants with picotee or bicolor and/or interestingly marked flowers (some of our tried-and-true favorites for flower displays).
- Helleborus x hybridus Italian Blend 3.0: these are unique to the market and all have an ancestral connection to Helleborus bocconei (some of the best plants for winter foliage and cut flowers, in our opinion).
- Helleborus x hybridus Balkan Blend: these are seeds from Balkan species (e.g. Helleborus torquatus, Helleborus multifidus, etc) as well as hybrid parents that have green or violet flowers; many will have nicely divided foliage
- Helleborus niger: the wonderful and timeless "Christmas Rose."
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Growing Hellebores from Seed
Hellebore seeds naturally contain germination inhibitors, which prevents them from germinating rapidly and guarantees that they sprout only when conditions are favorable for the survival of the seedlings. Practically, this means that if you sow the seeds in late summer, you can expect to see germination (the emergence of seed leaves or cotyledons) in late winter or early spring of the following year, e.g. within six months after sowing.
You can sow seeds in containers or in the ground (The black plastic trays in the photo above have a grid at the bottom, so water can easily drain out the bottom). In each case, make sure to use a well-drained medium. We typically use a mix of real topsoil, organic material such as compost or rotted pine bark, and some coarse sand. To sow, sprinkle the seed on the surface. Then cover with a quarter inch or so of the soil mixture and a thin layer of mulch (we use "pine fines" which is a type of ground pine bark). Once the seeds are sown, they should be kept reasonably moist, but not wet. If left outside, simply water the area when the soil seems to be drying out. However, in much of the eastern US, no supplemental water is necessary if left in the elements . . . just time and patience.
Caring for Helleborus x hybridus
Hellebores are not difficult to grow. Like most plants, they do best when they have good soil, adequate moisture, and ample sun. In such conditions, your Helleborus x hybridus plants will thrive; yet hellebores are tough and will also tolerate less-than-optimal conditions. Hellebore plants can be grown in moderate shade or heavy sun, but a combination of both is ideal. If you can give them morning sun and/or late afternoon sun and shade protection during the hottest part of the afternoon in summer, this would be perfect.
Hellebores grow naturally in climates that have four distinct seasons. If your garden is in such a climate and rainfall is spread throughout the year, you might not have to worry about any problems associated with hellebores. However, if you live in a climate that is extraordinarily wet seasonally or throughout the year, you may want to consider planting your hellebores on a slope or in a raised bed to promote good drainage. Or, if you live in a place that experiences prolonged or frequent drought, it might be necessary to provide supplemental water. Helleborus x hybridus plants are tough and resilient, but hellebores are not bog or desert plants. Hellebores are hardy to at least USDA zone 5, though the ultimate minimum temperature depends on winter variables such as snow cover.
Most mature hellebores produce leaves only in spring, though some hybrids (like those in our Helleborus x hybridus Italian Blend group) produce a second flush of leaves in autumn. In both cases, by late autumn or late winter respectively, all leaves start to go dormant and eventually decay. Most people choose to remove the old foliage in winter before the new flower staks emerge. This is not necessary, but it creates a more tidy and aesthetic appearance. It can also improve air circulation and may produce a slight health benefit in preventing mold or crown rot in wet climates.