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Herbaceous Perennial

Helleborus niger 'Mont Blanc'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Christmas rose 'Mont Blanc'

A compact, clump-forming perennial about up to 30cm high with dark green overwintering leaves. From early winter to early spring producing abundance of upward-facing brilliant white flowers.

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter White Green
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
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

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

It prefers fertile, neutral to alkaline, moisture retentive, humus –rich soils that are not prone to staying wet. Improve lighter soil with organic matter such as garden compost or a manure-based soil conditioner prior to planting and mulch well. Plant in light shade with shelter from strong cold winds. For more advice, see hellebore cultivation.

Propagation

Propagate by division of large clumps in early spring. Keep well-watered until established. Plants propagated by seed may be variable.

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Remove old damaged leaves in the autumn. Remove aging flower stems once they finished flowering.

Pests

May be susceptible to hellebore aphid, hellebore leaf miner and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to hellebore black death, hellebore leaf spot, grey moulds (botrytis) and virus diseases.

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