Helleborus 'Mix' |
Native Region: Europe
Zone Range: 4-8
Preferred Climate: Semi sun; well draining humus rich evenly moist soil.
Harvest Date: Sunday 18 December, 2011
Seed count: 12-15
Description:
A garden classic with early spring blooming perennial with flowers in shades of white, pink, purple or nearly black. Flowering stalks appear in early Spring/late Winter before the thick leathery palmate leaves. Each seed grown plant is its own characteristic bloom colour and pattern of spots (or no spots). Much loved by bumblebees.
Notes:
This is a mix containing no H. foetidus is in the mix.
Cultivation:
Ah! The wonderful world of hellebore germination! Best method: soak seed 24 hours in room temperature water then place the seed in a resealable baggie filled with moist peat, leaf mould or compost. Warm stratify at 20 C for 60-90 days then place baggie in a cool area (4C) for cold stratification for 60-90 days. Sow seed in humus rich but well draining medium 4mm deep. Keep moist. May germinate in 30 days or 18 months (or so) later. Grows best in a cool environment (15 C). Transplant when seedlings are large enough to handle to individual pots. Seems to like growing in groups. Often you find seedlings tucked under the leaves in Spring. I never transplant my seeded pots of Hellebore as sometimes the odd seed still germinates three years after sowing and most times these late starters give the best colours.
|
