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!
| Hardiness |
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 |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| 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 |
GAP Photos/Mark Bolton
| Hardiness |
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 |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| 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 |
Recreate this garden. Specify the percentages you would like to have of each plant and input the dimensions of your garden space.We'll give you a shopping list so you know how many plants you need.
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Helleborus lividus (Majorcan Hellebore) | N/A | Buy Plants |
| Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' (Black Mondo) | N/A | Buy Plants |
| Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum' (Italian Arum) | N/A | Buy Plants |
| Tulipa 'Red Riding Hood' (Greigii Tulip) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
