A Rich Winter Border Idea with Hellebores and Foliage Plants
Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Winter Borders, Spring Borders
A very interesting plant combination with an outstanding mix of winter foliage where the blue-green leaves of Helleborus lividus (Majorcan Hellebore) contrast dramatically with the jet black foliage of Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' (Black Mondo), the arrow-shaped, marbled gray-green leaves of Arum italicum 'Marmoratum' (Italian Arum) and the richly purple-mottled leaves of Tulipa 'Red Riding Hood'. Impervious to even the most dreadful weather, they remain attractive from winter into spring.
Blooming for weeks from mid winter to early spring, Helleborus lividus (Majorcan Hellebore) will enchant you with its open clusters of up to 8 or 10 outfacing, pale rose-pink to silver-green flowers. In early spring, the highly popular Greiggi tulip 'Red Riding Hood' will take over and bring sparkles to the garden with its bright scarlet blooms revealing a small black heart inside.
Noticeably less hardy than other hellebores (Zone 8-9), you may want to replace this Majorcan Hellebore with some of its popular hybrids if you live in a colder area. Among them, Helleborus x sternii, a hybrid of Helleborus argutifolius (Corsican Hellebore) and H. lividus, is root hardy to Zone 6. Helleborus x ballardia, a hybrid of Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose) and H. lividus, is hardy to Zone 7 and is tolerant of a wide range of light conditions, from full sun to full shade.
Overall, a delightful color show that will provide gardeners with some of the greatest pleasures in winter and early spring. Enjoy!
Garden Information
Hardiness |
8 – 8
|
---|---|
Heat Zones | 3
– 9
|
Climate Zones | 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Exposure | Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early,Mid) Winter |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam |
Soil Ph | Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage , Traditional Garden |
Great Plant Combination Ideas with Helleborus - Hellebores Great Plant Combination Ideas with Tulipa - Tulips
GAP Photos/Mark Bolton
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Garden Information
Hardiness | 8 – 8
|
---|---|
Heat Zones | 3
– 9
|
Climate Zones | 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Exposure | Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early,Mid) Winter |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam |
Soil Ph | Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage , Traditional Garden |
Great Plant Combination Ideas with Helleborus - Hellebores Great Plant Combination Ideas with Tulipa - Tulips
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Helleborus lividus (Majorcan Hellebore)
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Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' (Black Mondo)
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Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum' (Italian Arum)
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Tulipa 'Red Riding Hood' (Greigii Tulip)
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