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

Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata The King' AGM

Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata The King' AGM

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

A truly magnificent fern with splendid crests and arching fronds, said to be the 'King of the British Ferns'. In time, to 1.2m tall. Very effective in a pot against a north facing wall. Semi-evergreen.
find out more

Dryopteris wallichiana AGM

Dryopteris wallichiana AGM

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

A most magnificent fern from the Himalayas and Japan, although named after the Danish botanist Nathaniel Wallich. The young unfolding fronds are a golden green in the Spring contrasting well with the hairy black midrib and stems. Needs moist conditions though not boggy and avoid dry alkaline soils. Evergreen.
find out more

Digitalis parviflora 'Milk Chocolate' AGM

Digitalis parviflora 'Milk Chocolate' AGM

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

A classic perennial foxglove with long candles of chocolate coloured white netted flowers in early Summer.
Poisonous and wear gloves when handling.
find out more

Matteuccia struthiopteris AGM

Matteuccia struthiopteris AGM

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

The shuttlecock fern, vigorous and striking. Needs some moisture to reach full size. Deciduous.
find out more

Polystichum polyblepharum AGM

Polystichum polyblepharum AGM

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

From Korea and Japan, glossy fine cut fronds to 60cm across. Evergreen. One of the finest of the good hardy evergreen ferns. Polyblepharum means 'many eyelashes'. A fine, reliable fern.
find out more

Geranium phaeum 'Blue Shadow'

Geranium phaeum 'Blue Shadow'

£6.80 (2 or fewer items) £6.45 (3 or more items)

A good relatively large flowered blue flowered form. Quite early to flower which is a bonus.
find out more

Solution Graphics