Helleborus 'Wedding Bells'

Helleborus 'Wedding Bells': A Pure White Prelude to Spring
Softly layered and quietly radiant, Helleborus 'Wedding Bells' graces the winter garden with fully double, snow-white blooms that unfold in elegant tiers. As part of the Wedding Party™ series, this cultivar offers a romantic presence in the shade—its delicate, ruffled flowers bringing a sense of calm and celebration from late winter into early spring. With its clean colour, tidy growth, and evergreen foliage, Wedding Bells is a refined classic that elevates both traditional and naturalistic garden spaces.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 35–45 cm
• Spread: 40–50 cm, forming a rounded, compact clump
• Flower Colour: Fully double, pure white with a soft, ruffled form and golden stamens
• Flowering Period: Late winter to early spring
• Foliage: Dark green, leathery, evergreen leaves with a palmate shape and coarse texture
• Sunlight Requirements: Partial shade to full shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil; prefers neutral to alkaline pH; tolerates clay if drainage is adequate

Uses and Benefits: Wedding Bells adds a serene, luminous element to winter borders, underplantings, and shaded containers. Its crisp white blooms pair beautifully with silver foliage and pastel spring bulbs, while also offering a fresh counterpoint to darker hellebores. This long-lived perennial supports early pollinators and remains visually appealing year-round thanks to its evergreen foliage and low-maintenance nature.

Companion Plants: Pair Wedding Bells with Brunnera 'Jack Frost', whose frosty silver leaves and blue spring flowers add a gentle shimmer that complements the hellebore’s white blooms. Add Pulmonaria 'Moonshine', with its speckled foliage and pale lavender flowers for a soft woodland effect. Finish with Heuchera 'Paris', whose pink flower wands and tidy foliage add contrast without overwhelming the hellebore’s purity.

Care Instructions: Plant in partial to full shade with rich, well-drained soil. Keep evenly moist, especially during dry spells in the first year. In late winter, remove old foliage before flower buds open to showcase the new growth and blooms. Mulch annually to conserve moisture and improve soil. Divide only if necessary, as hellebores prefer to remain undisturbed.

History: Bred by Hans Hansen for the Wedding Party™ series, Helleborus 'Wedding Bells' was selected for its fully double, pristine flowers and compact, well-branched habit. This series focuses on hellebores with strong stems, vibrant blooms, and reliable performance—ideal for extending the season of interest in shaded gardens.

Final Thoughts: Graceful, enduring, and timeless, Helleborus 'Wedding Bells' offers a quiet celebration of beauty in the coldest months. Whether planted along a woodland path or spotlighted in a winter container, it brings elegance and light to the garden’s early awakening. A perennial that speaks in soft tones but leaves a lasting impression.