Helleborus niger 'Christmas Carol'
Christmas rose 'Christmas Carol'
A clump-forming, semi-evergreen perennial with relatively shallowly lobed, glossy dark-green leaves, flowers are simple, bowl-shaped and white, sometimes green-flushed, with pale yellow centres, borne on upright stems in late winter or spring
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Yellow White |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Helleborus can be rhizomatous, herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennials forming a clump of pedate basal leaves, or evergreen with erect, leafy stems. Large, bowl-shaped flowers are borne in loose clusters in late winter or spring
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in neutral to alkaline soils that are moist, fertile and humus-rich. Partial shade is ideal but can tolerate full sun. Provide shelter from strong, cold winds. Mulch annually in autumn.
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring or summer. Usually comes true from seed.
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Remove faded or damaged foliage as the flowers appear
Pests
May be susceptible to hellebore aphid, hellebore leaf miner and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to hellebore leaf spot and hellebore black death
Get involved
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