French Kiss Helleborus
Helleborus. The large, perfectly overlapping petals of ‘French Kiss’ are white to palest of pink, with a raspberry-red centre and veining. Also known as the Lenten Rose, Helleborus are surprisingly easy to grow, bringing elegant blooms very early in spring, and a reliable evergreen foliage for the rest of the year. Thriving in shade and moist, woodland areas these incredible hybrid varieties can bloom for 6 weeks or more. 3" plug. Height 12-18".
Spring Planting: this product will be shipped late April through May according to hardiness zone.
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Details
Growing Information
Upon Arrival:
Some Perennials will be shipped in pots and may have actively growing green leaves. These pots should be immersed in water upon arrival to thoroughly soak the root ball.
Pot up hellebore plants and grow them on in frost free conditions until large enough to plant outside. When plants are well grown, acclimatize them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Keep in a cool bright room, and place outside on mild days and gradually leave outside for longer periods of time. After 7-10 days, or when nighttime temperatures are above freezing, plant outside. If a severe dip in temperature is expected, you may want to place straw or an old blanket over the green leaves to protect them from severe damage. Frost or cold will not permanently hurt the plant, but it may damage the new leaves and set growth back.
Planting:
Pot up hellebore plants and grow them on in frost free conditions until large enough to plant outside. When plants are well grown, acclimatize them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Plant hellebores in neutral or alkaline soil, in dappled shade. Hellebores prefer a moist, humus rich, fertile soil that does not dry out in summer or sit waterlogged in winter. When growing hellebores on heavy clay or free draining gravel soils, add plenty of well rotted leaf mould or other organic matter to the soil prior to planting.
Plant in large holes, at least 1 foot deep and 1 foot wide, with 1" of soil above the point where the roots break from the crown of the plant. Planting under deciduous trees (Maples, birches, etc.) is ideal since it will provide winter sun and summer shade.
Growing:
Once planted, they are best left undisturbed and thrive for years without needing division. Established clumps spread from about 1 to 1 1/2 feet. Add lots of organic matter and some bone meal into the soil before planting. Neutral to slightly alkaline soil is best, so add lime to acidic soil. Fertilize with slow release fertilizer in spring. Mulch in fall with compost or aged manure and remove old leaves after new shoots appear. Keep well watered during dry spells.