Helleborus HGC® Frosty
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Helleborus HGC® Frosty: Creamy Blooms Before the Snow Is Gone
'Frosty' is creamy white, perfectly rounded and in no rush to warm up to anyone. Then, as the flowers age, they blush pink like somebody finally told a good joke. ICE QUEEN. SOFT HEART.
Plant Characteristics:
- Botanical Name: Helleborus hybrid (H. × ericsmithii × H. niger)
- Common Name: Christmas Rose, Hellebore
- Series: HGC®, the Helleborus Gold Collection®
- Height: 20–30 cm (8–12 in)
- Spread: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
- Flowers: Large, rounded, outward-facing, creamy white flowers with overlapping petals. They take on a pink tint as they age.
- Bloom Time: Late winter to spring (March to May)
- Foliage: Dark green, leathery and evergreen, with purple-tinged stems
- Features: Long-lasting flowers, often blooms in its first year
Where to Plant: Plant it where you'll see it in late winter: by the front door, along a path, or in a container on the step. Its small size suits the front of a bed or a rock garden.
Companion Plants: This hellebore opens the year from March to May, then Geranium maculatum carries on with lavender flowers in May and June. Aquilegia canadensis adds red and yellow nodding flowers at the same time, rising 30 to 75 cm. Place Amsonia 'Storm Cloud' behind for blue starry flowers in May and June. It is a gentle spring grouping for part sun.
Plant Care: Plant in rich, well-drained soil that stays evenly moist. Unlike many hellebores, this hybrid prefers more light: part sun to full sun with some afternoon shade in hot spots. Avoid deep shade. Wear gloves when handling, as all parts are toxic and the sap can irritate skin. In early spring, trim off last year's tattered leaves so the new flowers stand out. In zone 5, a loose mulch of shredded leaves or good snow cover protects the evergreen foliage. Hellebores dislike being moved, so choose the spot well and leave it to settle in.
History: HGC® stands for the Helleborus Gold Collection®, a line of hellebores from the German nursery Heuger. Frosty is a cross between Helleborus × ericsmithii and the Christmas rose, Helleborus niger, which is native to the mountains of central and southern Europe.
Final Thoughts: It often blooms its very first year, so no waiting around. The deer won't touch it. COOL, CALM AND COLLECTING COMPLIMENTS.
