Helleborus x ericsmithii

The quintessential Winter flowering perennial and probably the most popular of all the shade loving plants. They bring such optimism and cheer to the garden in the early months of the year. Hellebores are, on the whole, very easy plants, reliably perennial and will mildly seed about. They like cool moist soils in semi shade. There are a number of species available and now a large range of varieties and cultivars too. Hellebores look best in informal groups and they combine beautifully with snowdrops, Cyclamen coum, Anemones, Trilliums, Pulmonarias etc, and they offer an early treat for pollinating insects. Many of the newer varieities have been bred for their fabulous silver veined and marbled foliage. 		Helleborus x ericsmithii
habitat Most hellebore species are naturally woodland plants from Europe and the near East and in one case China. Others, particularly the stem forming species (H. lividus, argutifolius, vesicarius and foetidus) come from dry slopes and open sunny spots and Helleborus niger grows mostly on sub alpine meadows. Anyone seeing the stands of Helleborus foetidus on the dry exposed limestone road cuttings of Southern England, growing alongside things like Juniper, can be in little doubt of the need for a well drained soil.
Some of the very best new forms of Helleborus are hybrids; previously rare and highly sought after, as propogation was only by the careful selection of crosses between species. However, advances in tissue culture propogation have now allowed breeders to propogate from the very best hybrids producing wonderful clones in good numbers.
Helleborus x ericsmithii is a hybrid between the sub alpine Helleborus niger and a hybrid ( x sternii) both of which parents are from Mediterranean Islands, but the mix is one of the best of all Hellebores. Pink or white flower in masses from mid Winter through to mid Spring, with steely grey foliage, either flat or mottled, with a strong serrated edge. They do like three parts sun to semi shade and a well drained soil. They are evergreen and will provide tidy shiny foliage all year. Some with mottled foliage, such as 'Winter Moonbeam' are highly attractive all year around.

 Stuff

Best Selling Plants

Asplenium scolopendrium AGM

Asplenium scolopendrium AGM

£6.95 (2 or fewer items) £6.50 (3 or more items)

The native wild form of this easy and very useful evergreen fern. Strap shaped, long undivided fronds giving the plant it's common name Hart's (deer) Tongue fern. Grows better on alkaline to neutral soils. Happy in damp shade but also in dry shade once established. This fern works brilliantly with other ferns, hostas and bergenias.
find out more

Gillenia trifoliata AGM

Gillenia trifoliata AGM

£6.95 (2 or fewer items) £6.50 (3 or more items)

A plant that has become increasingly popular as gardeners recognise its quiet beauty. White star flowers that have a fluttering butterfly quality about them, reddish stems and calyxs, followed by berries and coloured foliage in Autumn. A semi-shaded well drained spot will have this flowering most of the Summer. Use to the front of a shade border to fully appreciate its beauty. A rhizomatous perennial, that is gradually clump forming.
find out more

Beesia calthifolia

Beesia calthifolia

£7.00

A new introduction of great charm. Heart shaped leaves, clump forming, evergreen, dark red in Winter and glossy burnished bronzy green in Summer. Flowers pretty constantly all Summer with lots of white stars from May. Likes a moist shaded spot.
find out more

Smilacina tatsiense

Smilacina tatsiense

£9.50

Neat growing species with white flowers and dark green leaves.
find out more

Polystichum setiferum 'Herrenhausen'

Polystichum setiferum 'Herrenhausen'

£7.00 (2 or fewer items) £6.50 (3 or more items)

A fine divisilobum form of the soft shield fern. A beautiful, elegant form of this easy very tolerant fern even of dry soils. Makes a very good subject for a container.
find out more

Begonia 'Torsa'

Begonia 'Torsa'

£7.00

A new hardy form whcih grows very large, pink flower in late Summer till frosts. The leaves can grow 40cm across
find out more

Solution Graphics