DOUBLE CHRISTMAS ROSE Helleborus orientalis

These seeds are for the rare double flowers! Helleborus are absolutely stunning perennial flowers that are widely admired! Flowers are available in a wide range of colors, and foliage is dark green, shiny, and evergreen even in the coldest climates. Flowers begin to bloom as the snow is receding, and continue through spring creating a magnificent display. Helleborus can be best appreciated when planted near the front of the perennial border. We have been growing these plants for a number of years in our zone 4 gardens, and they are always a welcomed sight of elegant color!

Type: Perennial, evergreen foliage

Height: 18"

Location: Part or full

Hardiness zones: 4-9

Bloom time: Spring, as snow is melting

Seed size: Medium, seeds vary in size, from about 2mm to 3mm long

Note: This plant species is known to have toxicity.

Seeds per pack: 3

We also sell live Helleborus plants through the summer and fall! https://ferriseeds.com/collections/live-plants/helleborus

Germination: As with many perennial seeds, these seeds require a period of moist cold to help them break dormancy. This is done by giving them a cold 'winter' period (artificial or natural), and then a warming to simulate 'spring', and time to grow! Here's how this can be done:

Obtain a planting container that has holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Place the seeds just under the surface of your growing medium, and water. Place your container in a cold area (but not freezing, perhaps a refrigerator) for 6 weeks. Once the cold period is completed, place the container at room temperature for them to germinate. Be sure to keep the soil moist during this entire germination period. Seedlings will sprout a few weeks, or occasionally several months, after the warming period.

If you are planting your seeds in late winter or spring, these seeds can be planted outdoors while it is still cool out (once the ground is workable and unfrozen), to receive the cold period naturally in the garden.