Create Your Garden

Helleborus x ballardiae ‘HGC Merlin’ (Hellebore)

Hellebore 'HGC Merlin', Merlin Hybrid Lenten Rose, Helleborus × ballardiae 'Coseh 810', Helleborus 'HGC Merlin'

Helleborus x Ballardiae HGC Merlin, Hellebore Merlin, Lenten Rose HGC Merlin, Hellebore HGC Merlin, Pink Hellebore, Hellebores

Helleborus x ballardiae ‘HGC Merlin’ (Hellebore) is an evergreen perennial boasting loose clusters of outward-facing, saucer-shaped, cream to pale pink flowers, which turn rich, dark, dusky pink as they mature, creating attractive combinations of creamy-white and pink shades. Blooming in late winter or early spring, the flowers rise on sturdy stems above the leathery foliage of dark green, marbled leaves. Showy and long-lasting, this Hellebore is ideal to brighten the shade garden!

  • Grows in a bushy, upright clump, up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 24 in. across (60 cm).
  • Performs best in partial shade, in fertile, humus-rich, moist, neutral to alkaline, well-drained soils. Can tolerate sun. Select a sheltered site to protect them from cold winter winds. Deer resistant!
  • Easy to grow, this plant is a welcomed addition to shady borders, city gardens, under trees or large shrubs, woodland gardens, coastal gardens or cottage gardens. Plant in groups for best visual impact.
  • Virtually disease and pest free, but 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, as named strains will come true, or propagate by division in the 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.

How to Plant, Grow and Care for Hellebore


Learn how to grow lush, healthy, and gorgeous Hellebores

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Climate Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Helleborus
Common names Christmas Rose, Hellebore, lenten Rose
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early), Winter
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 30" (80cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Helleborus (Hellebore)
Not sure which Helleborus (Hellebore) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Helleborus Molly’s White (Hellebore)
Helleborus x nigercors ‘Honeyhill Joy’ (Hellebore)
Helleborus ‘Wedding Crasher’ (Hellebore)
Helleborus ‘California Dreaming’ (Hellebore)
Helleborus ‘Shotgun Wedding’ (Hellebore)
Helleborus ‘Confetti Cake’ (Hellebore)

Recommended Companion Plants

Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite)
Heuchera ‘Caramel’ (Coral Bells)
Crocus tommasinianus ‘Ruby Giant’ (Early Crocus)
Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop)
Narcissus ‘Thalia’ (Triandrus Daffodils)
Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian Bugloss)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

30 Christmas Flowers and Plants to Brighten Your Home and Garden
Top 50 Most Beautiful Flowers Worldwide
42 Green Flowers for Your Garden or Bouquets
54 Black Flowers and Plants: Add Drama to Your Garden
45 Yellow Flowers: Radiant Blooms for Every Season
Pure White Flowers for a Touch of Elegance in Your Garden
30 Great Perennials for Shade
30 Best Spring Flowers to Spruce up Your Garden
Helleborus (Hellebore)
Create a Garden with Great Winter Interest
How to Plant, Grow and Care for Hellebore
30 Stunning Winter Flowers to Brighten Your Garden and Home
Plant Combination Ideas with Hellebores
Favorite Hellebores for your Winter and Spring Garden
Great Bulbs and Perennials as Companion Plants for Azaleas and Rhododendrons
Best Companion Plants for Camellias
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.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Climate Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Helleborus
Common names Christmas Rose, Hellebore, lenten Rose
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early), Winter
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 30" (80cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Helleborus (Hellebore)
Not sure which Helleborus (Hellebore) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Helleborus x ballardiae ‘HGC Merlin’ (Hellebore) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Helleborus x ballardiae ‘HGC Merlin’ (Hellebore) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    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!

    Join Gardenia.net

    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!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone