Helleborus x ericsmithii

The quintessential Winter flowering perennial and probably the most popular of all the shade loving plants. They bring such optimism and cheer to the garden in the early months of the year. Hellebores are, on the whole, very easy plants, reliably perennial and will mildly seed about. They like cool moist soils in semi shade. There are a number of species available and now a large range of varieties and cultivars too. Hellebores look best in informal groups and they combine beautifully with snowdrops, Cyclamen coum, Anemones, Trilliums, Pulmonarias etc, and they offer an early treat for pollinating insects. Many of the newer varieities have been bred for their fabulous silver veined and marbled foliage. 		Helleborus x ericsmithii
habitat Most hellebore species are naturally woodland plants from Europe and the near East and in one case China. Others, particularly the stem forming species (H. lividus, argutifolius, vesicarius and foetidus) come from dry slopes and open sunny spots and Helleborus niger grows mostly on sub alpine meadows. Anyone seeing the stands of Helleborus foetidus on the dry exposed limestone road cuttings of Southern England, growing alongside things like Juniper, can be in little doubt of the need for a well drained soil.
Some of the very best new forms of Helleborus are hybrids; previously rare and highly sought after, as propogation was only by the careful selection of crosses between species. However, advances in tissue culture propogation have now allowed breeders to propogate from the very best hybrids producing wonderful clones in good numbers.
Helleborus x ericsmithii is a hybrid between the sub alpine Helleborus niger and a hybrid ( x sternii) both of which parents are from Mediterranean Islands, but the mix is one of the best of all Hellebores. Pink or white flower in masses from mid Winter through to mid Spring, with steely grey foliage, either flat or mottled, with a strong serrated edge. They do like three parts sun to semi shade and a well drained soil. They are evergreen and will provide tidy shiny foliage all year. Some with mottled foliage, such as 'Winter Moonbeam' are highly attractive all year around.

 Stuff

Best Selling Plants

Dryopteris wallichiana AGM

Dryopteris wallichiana AGM

£7.00 (2 or fewer items) £6.50 (3 or more items)

A most magnificent fern from the Himalayas and Japan, although named after the Danish botanist Nathaniel Wallich. The young unfolding fronds are a golden green in the Spring contrasting well with the hairy black midrib and stems. Needs moist conditions though not boggy and avoid dry alkaline soils. Evergreen.
find out more

Dryopteris cycadina AGM

Dryopteris cycadina AGM

£7.00 (2 or fewer items) £6.50 (3 or more items)

Lovely fern with black hairs on the back of the stipe and bold dark green foliage. New fronds uncurl like an elephant’s trunk. Semi evergreen.
find out more

Corydalis calycosa

Corydalis calycosa

£7.00 (2 or fewer items) £6.45 (3 or more items)

Fragrant, piercing blue flowers in May and June and all Summer if not too dry. Easy in a soil that retains a bit of moisture, does very well with us under an apple tree. More perennial, easier and a better garden plant than flexuosa.


find out more

Gillenia trifoliata AGM

Gillenia trifoliata AGM

£8.95 (2 or fewer items) £8.50 (3 or more items)

A plant that has become increasingly popular as gardeners recognise its quiet beauty. White star flowers that have a fluttering butterfly quality about them, reddish stems and calyxs, followed by berries and coloured foliage in Autumn. A semi-shaded well drained spot will have this flowering most of the Summer. Use to the front of a shade border to fully appreciate its beauty. A rhizomatous perennial, that is gradually clump forming.
find out more

Polystichum setiferum 'Herrenhausen'

Polystichum setiferum 'Herrenhausen'

£7.00 (2 or fewer items) £6.50 (3 or more items)

A fine divisilobum form of the soft shield fern. A beautiful, elegant form of this easy very tolerant fern even of dry soils. Makes a very good subject for a container.
find out more

Epimedium 'Fire Dragon'

Epimedium 'Fire Dragon'

£9.50

H40cm x W 30cm
A lovely new hybrid from Blackthorn. Evergreen, lots of bracted yellow flowers in Spring. Easy good grower.

find out more

Solution Graphics