'Jesse' Christmas Rose | Hellebore Gold Collection®

Varieties from the Helleborus Gold Collection® are largely resistant to pests and diseases, but may occasionally be affected by aphids (on young plants) slugs and snails. Blackspot (Coniothyrium hellebori), is the most widely occurring fungal disease that can affect hellebores. To avoid fungal diseases, space the plants well to allow good air circulation and make sure to provide the hellebores with good drainage as waterlogging tends to encourage the occurrence of these fungi.

Helleborus are generally very robust and hardy perennials. Established plants have a large root system that will get them through drier periods well. However, once the plants begin to droop, they will need to be watered in order to enjoy flowering again next winter.

Christmas Roses and x lemperii prefer a partially shaded to shaded place that protects them from the midday sun in the summer. The mild winter sun doesn't bother them, which means that deciduous shrubs or trees are perfect neighbours for them. In contrast, Snow Roses also tolerate a sunnier place. If planted in the right spot, hellebores will last for decades.

Hellebores are long-lived perennials. If they like the place where they have been put, they will stay there for many years. All varieties from the Helleborus Gold Collection® prefer rich and chalky soils, but will also thrive in other locations that are not prone to waterlogging.

Hellebore plants do not require any fertiliser in their first spring. Feed older plants from February onwards and apply a second dressing of fertiliser in midsummer, when the plants grow new roots and initiate flower buds for the next season. If the plants suffer from lime deficiency, the soil can be improved by working in Dolomite lime or crushed eggshells.