Helleborus 'First Dance'

Helleborus 'First Dance': A Golden Waltz in the Winter Garden
Bright, elegant, and gracefully layered, Helleborus 'First Dance' is a captivating herald of the season’s quietest months. Part of the celebrated Wedding Party™ series, this cultivar features fully double blooms in warm, creamy yellow, delicately flushed with maroon picotee edges that deepen with age. Blooming in late winter and early spring, First Dance brings light and movement to shaded spaces—its blooms nodding gently like dancers in a winter waltz.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 30–40 cm
• Spread: 40–50 cm, forming a rounded, evergreen clump
• Flower Colour: Creamy yellow with maroon-edged, fully double petals
• Flowering Period: Late winter to early spring
• Foliage: Deep green, leathery, evergreen leaves with a palmate structure
• Sunlight Requirements: Partial shade to full shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil; prefers neutral to alkaline conditions

Uses and Benefits: Helleborus 'First Dance' is ideal for adding early colour and sophistication to woodland gardens, shady borders, and winter containers. Its double blooms bring elegance and long-lasting interest, while the evergreen foliage ensures year-round texture. Deer- and rabbit-resistant, it supports early pollinators and provides a beautiful transition from winter into spring—making it a prized specimen for both naturalistic and formal plantings.

Companion Plants: Pair First Dance with Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade', whose vibrant, chartreuse foliage makes the golden tones of the hellebore glow even brighter. Add Tiarella 'Cutting Edge', whose delicate spring flowers and lacy foliage soften the scene with woodland charm. Complete the vignette with Polystichum 'Christmas Fern', a native evergreen fern whose rich texture enhances the hellebore’s structured form.

Care Instructions: Plant in partial to full shade with moist, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Water regularly during the first year; once established, it is drought-tolerant and very low maintenance. Remove old foliage in late winter just before buds open to keep the plant tidy and showcase blooms. Mulch annually with leaf mold or compost to retain moisture and improve soil texture.

History: Bred by Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens, Helleborus 'First Dance' is part of the Wedding Party™ series, known for its double blooms, rich colours, and vigorous growth. This series combines the resilience of Helleborus x hybridus with refined floral forms, offering reliable winter bloomers for discerning gardeners.

Final Thoughts: With its buttery petals brushed in maroon and its poised, nodding habit, Helleborus 'First Dance' brings warmth and grace to the stillness of winter. A stunning performer in shade, it invites movement, softness, and seasonal delight—proof that even the earliest blooms can steal the show. A perfect opening act for the garden year.