Helleborus niger ‘Josef’ (Christmas Rose)

Helleborus niger ‘Josef’ is a charming semi-evergreen to evergreen perennial with large, single, pristine white flowers, adorned with a crown of showy golden-yellow stamens. Unlike most hellebores, the flowers face outward attracting interest. They are borne on short, dark stems and rise above the foliage of palm-shaped dark green leaves. A very early bloomer, with blooms appearing from late fall until late winter, it is perfect to brighten the shade garden!

• Grows in a bushy, upright clump, up to 16 in. tall and wide (40 cm).
• Performs best in part shade in fertile, humus-rich, moist, neutral to alkaline, well-drained soils. Can tolerate some sun. Avoid soils prone to drying out or staying wet.
• Select a sheltered site to protect your hellebores from cold winter winds.
• Easy to grow, this plant is a welcomed addition to shady borders, city gardens, coastal gardens, rock gardens, under trees or large shrubs, woodland gardens, or cottage gardens. Plant in groups for the best visual impact.
• Hellebore flowers provide valuable nectar for early pollinators. Hellebore is not generally a plant that deer or other animals seek out to eat, but if other food sources are scarce, they may come along and make a meal out of your Hellebore.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for aphids, snails, hellebore leaf spot, and hellebore black death.
• Remove old leaves to help prevent hellebore leaf spot, and deadhead to promote more blooms.
• Propagate by division of large clumps in early spring.
• Ingestion may cause severe discomfort, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses, toxic to humans.