Helleborus Ice N Roses Merlot
As the name suggests, Helleborus Merlot produces a mass of rich, red wine-coloured flowers and does so at a time of the year when there is little colour in the garden. The forward-facing flowers with their frill of golden stamens attract foraging bees, while the attractively cut evergreen foliage provides a year-round decorative backdrop.
- Pot size: 4.5L
- Height and Spread: 30-60cm (12-24in) x 30-60cm (12-24in) after 2-5 years
As the name suggests, Helleborus Merlot produces a mass of rich, red wine-coloured flowers and does so at a time of the year when there is little colour in the garden. The forward-facing flowers with their frill of golden stamens attract foraging bees, while the attractively cut evergreen foliage provides a year-round decorative backdrop.
These hellebores have been carefully bred in Germany, originally from the Christmas Roses (helleborus niger), to produce exceptionally robust varieties that flourish in our climate. The beautifully marked ‘petals’ are sepals (the petals modified to become nectaries), which is why the flowers last for so long.
- Flowers: November onwards
- Harmful if eaten, may cause skin allergy
- Moist, well drained soil
- Partial shade preferred, will tolerate sun
Leave foliage to protect the young buds, but as the hellebore flowers, remove the old foliage to reveal the blooms, this looks attractive and helps to prevent disease. Top dress with fertiliser in the autumn.