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perennial

Eric Smith Hellebore*

Helleborus x ericsmithii

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Eric Smith Hellebore (Helleborus x ericsmithii) at Squak Mountain Nursery

Eric Smith Hellebore flowers

Eric Smith Hellebore flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

* This is a "special order" plant - contact store for details

Plant Height:  8 inches

Flower Height:  14 inches

Spacing:  18 inches

Sunlight:  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4

Other Names:  Lenten Rose, Winter Rose

Description:

A unique perennial that blooms in late winter and early spring; flowers are large, cream colored and rise above the foliage; they may have some pink streaking; very showy plant is excellent for borders where protected from winter winds

Ornamental Features

Eric Smith Hellebore features showy nodding white cup-shaped flowers with creamy white overtones and pink streaks at the ends of the stems from late winter to early spring. Its glossy oval compound leaves remain dark green in color throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Eric Smith Hellebore is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Eric Smith Hellebore is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Eric Smith Hellebore will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity extending to 14 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

 

* This is a "special order" plant - contact store for details

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Rock  Edging  Garden  Naturalizing 
Applications
Flowers 
Ornamental Features

Disclaimer - This Plant Finder tool is an online resource representing many of the varieties that we carry over the course of the season, and is intended for informational purposes only. Inventory varies seasonally, so we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times - please contact the store directly for availability. It does not include our entire inventory of plants, so be sure to visit our store to see varieties that may not be represented on this list.