Helleborus x hybridus 'Spanish Flare'
Planted Spring 2024 from Bluestone Perennials
Pictures
Expectations:
A tall, upright hellebore with yellow flowers and a maroon throat.
Hellebores want shade and moisture but don't need much care. They are okay in irrigated soils, but don't let them get waterlogged. They don't look good in drought, but they will survive and come back.
They bloom in late winter. It takes several years for hellebores to bloom.
Don't remove the old foliage until after the new stalks come up, though.
Plantlets will form around the base to spread this plant out, and will bloom after three years.
Experiences:
I never thought about planting hellebores, but this came as a free plant in a Bluestone order.
I put it in the potting bench curve right next to the twiggy aronia at the back. It will get shade there, but I'll have to water it well. They don't like waterlogged soil, but even with irrigation and hand watering I don't think this spot will be very wet.
In summer the leaves did crisp and it wilted a bit.
Here's info about summer dormancy:
- Appearance: Leaves might look tired, brown, or fall flat, but this is normal, and they will bounce back when cooler weather returns.
- Watering: Reduce watering in the summer, as they do not need as much moisture while dormant. Overwatering in summer can lead to issues.
- Maintenance: Avoid pruning or cutting back foliage during this time, as they need it for energy. The best time to remove old, tattered leaves is late winter.
- Sun Protection: They prefer to be in shady areas, which helps manage their summer dormancy.They will resume growth and produce new foliage once temperatures drop.