Helleborus niger ‘Potter’s Wheel’ (Christmas Rose)

One of the most famous names associated with Helleborus niger, ‘Potter’s Wheel’ is a gorgeous Christmas Rose. It features large, single, pristine white flowers, 3 in. across (8 cm), with overlapping sepals and adorned with crowns 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 evergreen foliage of leathery, blue-green leaves. A very early bloomer, with blooms appearing in late winter and lasting until early spring. Perfect to brighten the shade garden!

• Grows in a bushy, upright clump, up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 15-18 in. wide (37-45 cm).
• Performs best in part shade in fertile, humus-rich, moist, neutral to alkaline, well-drained soils. 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, woodland gardens, or cottage gardens, banks and slopes, under trees or large shrubs, or as a ground cover . 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 by removing old faded flower stems.
• Propagate by division of larger 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.