Helleborus Niger

How do I care for my Helleborus?
Helleborus is an easy-care compact plant. It can grow to a height of 60 centimetres. Because it naturally grows in humus rich (slightly calciferous) soil, it is best if you use this type of fertilizer. The Helleborus will benefit most from this when you do it in the autumn before it flowers. If you want to plant this plant in open ground, it is best to add some humus rich potting mix to its soil in your garden.
What is the best l for a Christmas Carol?
The Helleborus is native to wooded mountain areas. Because it is a relatively small plant, it gets little summer sun in those locations while all of the larger plants and trees around it are in full leaf. During the autumn, when they all lose their leaves, this winter flowering plant gets sun/semi-shade. Fallen leaves offer direct protection and nutrients; so it is fine to leave these on the ground! You can copy the natural habitat of the Helleborus quite easily in your own garden. Make sure that the soil is not too acidic and well-draining. Helleborus Niger will not grow well in soil that is too wet.
Where does the Helleborus come from?
Helleborus Niger comes from the mountains of the Eastern Alps and is therefore a truly European plant that can therefore also do well in our climate in the Netherlands. Helleborus belongs to the perennials. That is remarkable, because unlike most perennial plants, this winter flowering plant stays beautifully green in the winter. They are even at their beautiful best during that time!When does this Helleborus flower?
The Helleborus Niger produces its flowers from the end of January to April, and has large white flowers. Because it nice to be able to enjoy a flowering plant at different times also, an earlier flowering variety Niger has been created by years of cross fertilization, namely the ’Niger Christmas Carol’. This plant flowers from October to January. This variety gets its nickname from its most remarkable flowering period; it is also called ’Christmas rose’.
Is this Helleborus suitable as cut flower?
We increasingly see different Helleborus-varieties being used as cut flowers. The Helleborus Niger is also great for this purpose. It is best to cut this flower before it is fully open. This will ensure that you get maximum enjoyment of these flowers in your house!
Can I prune the Helleborus?
Generally speaking, there is no need to prune your Helleborus. Because Helleborus is evergreen, its older leaves will often become less fresh looking or quite large. You can just cut these leaves away to let new fresh leaves develop. It is best to do this before it flowers anyway to let its flowers reach their maximum beauty. Because its flowers develop from the base of the plant, you can trim back the Niger and the Orientalis. This is not the case for other Helleborus-varieties.
  • Winter hardiness:
    Good

  • Soil type:
    Humus rich, slightly calciferous and well-draining

  • Moisture levels:
    Normal, not too wet

  • Location:
    Semi-shade

  • Height:
    To 60 cm

  • Evergreen or deciduous:
    Evergreen

  • Pruning:
    Remove old and diseased leaves

  • Fertilizing:
    In spring or autumn with calcium and/or humus

  • Flower:
    White, changing later to green or pink/red

  • Flowering period:
    Januari – April

  • Trivia:

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