Plant of the Month: December

Hellebores

Garsons Plant of the Month is the hellebore or Christmas rose. It’s a winter winner, with buds forming now that will give a display of flowers ranging from pure white to dusky pink through to deep red. There are even speckled varieties.

This hardy and compact shrub will flower until spring. It likes shade or partial shade in well-drained soil. It’s low maintenance and because it’s low growing and loves shade the hellebore is ideal to plant below a taller shrub.

If the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged, plant hellebores for welcome colour through the coldest months. When planting, give them enough space for their big leaves to spread out. Add compost and a handful of horticultural grit to the planting hole, which helps with drainage, and finish with a thick layer of mulch on top. Keep it watered during dry spells until it becomes established.

You can grow hellebore in a container. A raised position gives you a better view of its nodding cup-shaped flowers. Create a festive winter planter by filling a container with a hellebore and other woodland plants such as snowdrops and hardy red and white cyclamen along with trailing variegated ivy. You can also team it with a Skimmia for festive bright red berries. It’s Christmas in a pot!

Cheer up your winter garden with a hellebore, especially while they’re 20% off for Garsons cardholders in December.