Helleborus 'Cinderella' VERBOOM CINDERELLA hellebore, Lenten rose
Helleborus
The genus Helleborus comprises roughly twenty species of perennial plants distributed mainly across Europe and western Asia, especially in the mountainous and sub‑montane regions of the Balkans, the Alps and the Apennines. Direct fossil evidence is lacking, but genetic relationships and present‑day distribution point to a very ancient origin, probably reaching deep into the Tertiary. Hellebores were already known to classical physicians, as shown by the writings of Hippocrates and Pliny the Elder, who used them as drastic medicinal remedies. This is reflected in the Greek etymology of the name, most often interpreted as a combination of helein (to kill) and bora (a deadly food). It refers to the plant’s highly poisonous properties, valued in antiquity as powerful purgatives but easily fatal when used without expertise. The genus received its modern name and place in botany in the mid‑18th century thanks to Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778), who described it in 1753 in Species Plantarum. Hellebores are no novelty in Czech and Slovak gardens either; our grandmothers already enjoyed their flowers in winter and early spring. The only thing that has changed since then are the cultivars and colours, which are ever more numerous and increasingly beautiful. They are evergreen perennials with a remarkably structured flower. The “petals” we see at first glance, white or coloured, are in fact enlarged sepals surrounding a ring of true petals – the corolla segments, usually periwinkle green and occasionally red, which have become tubular and bear the nectaries.
VERBOOM CINDERELLA hellebore was created by the Dutch breeder Henk Meijer for Kwekerij Verboom B.V. It is Helleborus orientalis hybrid producing 5-6 cm across, semi-double, white flowers with plentiful and conspicuous, dark maroon freckles. The flowers typically have 3 layers of petals and sepals, which beautifully highlight the centre with creamy white stamens. Under favourable winter weather, it can bloom as early as February, but should late winter be too cold and bring strong frost, it waits until March to flower freely for up to 2 months. The stems are 30-40 cm high, with newly opened flowers facing upwards and later nodding like a bellflower as they mature.
The evergreen leaves are leathery, palmately divided, dark green, and glossy. As they may become exhausted after winter, the plant will not be harmed if you trim all the leaves before blooming to allow the stems with fresh flowers to stand out. New leaves will emerge in spring. The variety is protected by several patents, including PP20832 (USA – 2011) and 31344 (EU – 2012).
Hellebore likes heavy, evenly moist, neutral to alkaline, rich in humus soil in dappled shade or filtered sun. This hybrid will prefer at least half a day with direct sunlight. Fertilizing will increase flowering and help the leaves remain strong and nice throughout the winter. Grow it somewhere near your house entrance or close to the window you look out of frequently so that you can enjoy the plant when it starts flowering since at that time the weather outside is not yet ideal for walking around the garden. The flowers can cheer up a number of grey and dull days of late winter therefore thumbs up for hellebore! Harmful if eaten. Hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5).
Last update 06-04-2025
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- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
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- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
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