Helleborus x ballardiae ‘Candy Love’ (Hellebore)

Incredibly floriferous, Helleborus x ballardiae ‘Candy Love’ (Hellebore) is a semi-evergreen clump-forming perennial boasting large, saucer-shaped flowers, 3.5 in. wide (8 cm), which open to pale apricot, gradually darken to pink, then misty purple with red and pink tints, creating attractive combinations of pastel shades. Thanks to an impressive bud count, ‘Candy Love’ blooms heavily for weeks from late winter to late spring. Outward facing, the flowers rise on purple stems above the leathery, dark green, evergreen foliage which is covered in a veil of beautiful powder gray. Showy and long-lasting, this vigorous and floriferous Hellebore develops quickly and makes a large clump in the garden in no time.

• Grows in a bushy, upright clump, up to 12-15 in. tall (30-37 cm) and 15-18 in. across (37-45 cm). This perennial will self-seed in satisfactory growing conditions.
• 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, 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 faded or damaged foliage as the flowers appear.
• Propagate by seed or by division in autumn.
• 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.