Helleborus 'Ivory Prince'

Helleborus 'Ivory Prince': Ivory Royalty for the Shady Doorstep

'Ivory Prince' shows up at the tail end of winter like royalty arriving early to the ball. Ivory flowers brushed with green and pink, facing right at you over silvery blue-green leaves. THE SNOW HASN'T EVEN LEFT. HE DOESN'T CARE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Helleborus x nigersmithii 'Walhelivor'
• Common Name: Christmas Rose, Hellebore
• Height: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
• Spread: 60 cm (24 in)
• Flowers: Large, ivory flowers about 7.5 cm (3 in) across, streaked green and pink, opening from burgundy-pink buds and aging to rosy green. They face outward, so you see the inside of the flower.
• Bloom Time: Late winter to spring (March to May)
• Foliage: Leathery, blue-green leaves with a silvery cast. Evergreen.
• Features: Evergreen, long-lasting flowers, decorative seed pods

Where to Plant: Its compact size and upward-looking flowers make it a good front-of-border plant in shade and a strong choice for containers near the door. It also suits woodland paths and spots under a high tree canopy, where it gets spring light before the leaves come in.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Ivory Prince' near a path in a moist, shady bed with bold leaves and pink plumes for summer. Heucherella 'Pink Fizz' adds pink flower clusters at 15 to 20 cm in June and July. Astilbe 'Little Vision in Pink' brings deep pink plumes at 35 to 40 cm in July and August. Hosta 'Big Daddy' adds big, puckered blue leaves at 60 to 65 cm. Liriope 'Royal Purple' edges the front with grass-like leaves and purple spikes at 30 to 45 cm.

Plant Care: Plant in part sun to full shade, in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. It handles a range of soils, including clay amended with compost. Water well through the first season and in dry spells after that. Remove old, damaged leaves at the base in early spring before the flowers open. Leaving spent flowers in place gives you the decorative seed pods. In colder spots, a loose mulch of shredded leaves helps protect the foliage. Hellebores don't like to be moved, so pick a spot and leave it. Wear gloves, as the sap can irritate skin.

History: 'Ivory Prince' was bred in England by plant breeder David Tristram and introduced to North America through PlantHaven under the cultivar name 'Walhelivor'. It has the Christmas rose, Helleborus niger, in its background, which accounts for its pale flowers and compact habit.

Final Thoughts: Plant him by the front walk where you'll pass every day in late winter. The deer bow out. A PRINCE WHO ACTUALLY SHOWS UP.