Helleborus HGC® LEONA Lenten rose, hellebore
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.
LEONA hellebore makes very large, up to 9 cm wide flowers which are bright purple red inside and deep maroon on the reverse. Stems are 30-40 cm tall and in full bloom flowers head towards the sun like a lion raising its majestic head to the sky, hence the variety name, which means lion in Latin. It begins to bloom in warm days of December and continues until April. The plant blooms profusely and forms a compact clump with evergreen, palmate, dark green, leathery leaves with serrated edges.
Helleborus x lemperii is a hybrid helleborus, a cross between late helleborus x hybridus and early helleborus niger from the German breeder Josef Heuger from Germany. For a long time, it was assumed that such a cross was not possible but now there is already a series of several varieties proving the opposite. You can enjoy the beauty of their flowers much earlier than on h. orientalis and other hybrids, already from December if the weather is mild. If December is frosty, the plants will hide their buds and will begin to bloom in the first warmer days of late winter.
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 25-01-2023
