Helleborus Sunshine Selection
New form of Helleborus.
These virtually problem free, evergreen, late Winter and early Spring flowering plants, are a complex hybrid of several species within the genus Helleborus in the family Ranunculaceae. Species include, but are not limited to, H.purpurescens, H. dumetorum. H. torquatus, H. cyclophyllus, H. odorus, H. orientalis, H. orientalis ssp. abchasicus, H. orientalis ssp. guttatus et al.
They prefer rich, moist soil with good drainage, part shade to full sun. They come from Sunshine Farm & Gardens in USA, who have accumulated well over 50,000 stock plants in the last 12 years. Many of their plants are original divisions of plants that were bred by Helen Ballard, Eric Smith, Marlene Ahlburgh, Gisela Schmeimann, Don Jacobs, Gunther Jurgl, Robin White of Blackthorne Nursery, John Anton Smith, John Massey of Ashwood Nurseries and several lesser known, but important breeders in New Zealand, Australia and Belgium.
The plants that we offer are the "Sunshine Selections" and are the result of emasculation and hand pollination to insure that no plants are "inbred" and that all plants have been pollinated with pollen from other plants. This is a tedious, laborious process that lasts from February to May. In mid May, 4" X 6" drawstring bags are placed over the swelling, pregnant seed heads. These are removed when the seeds are ready for harvest in late June - early July. The seeds are then cleaned and sown in Landmark ® brand 288 deep cell flats and kept in an environmentally controlled space until they commence germination in January of the following year.
Very colourful, vigorous strain of Hellebores.
Description by Barry Glick The Breeder of these lovely Hellebores.
Plant is sent out ex 15cm container. First time offered for sale in UK.
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