Product Description
Helleborus 'California Dreaming' (20)ct Flat
HONEYMOON® Series
Common Name: Lenten Rose
Try the lovely single-flowered selections of the HONEYMOON® Series from Walters Gardens hybridizer Hans Hansen. In his breeding work, he selects for plants with notable vigor, showy floral displays with large numbers of blossoms per plant, and rich flower colors.
'California Dreaming' has 3", single clear yellow, unspotted flowers.
Hellebores are the harbingers of spring, blooming for six weeks or more beginning in late winter. They are often flowering during the Christian season of Lent, from which they get their common name, Lenten Rose. This is the perfect plant for naturalizing in moist, woodland areas where its extensive root system will spread as far as it is allowed.
Hellebores are enjoyable to grow because they are low-maintenance and disease/pest-free. Simply trim back last year's foliage in the spring. They can adapt to almost any growing conditions. Though they prefer rich, moist, organic soil, they will also grow in sandy or clay soil. They can even tolerate short periods of drought. The soil pH can range anywhere from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
Hellebores are shade plants that need to be protected from the hot afternoon sun. They will grow in full shade under large deciduous trees as long as they receive full sun from winter to spring before the trees get their leaves.
To increase the number of hellebores in your garden, mulch them heavily in the fall. The new seedlings will grow in this mulch come spring and can then be transplanted elsewhere in the garden.
WARNING: Hellebores are poisonous. Do not consume any part of the plant!
Height: 18.0-24.0 Inches
Spread: 18.0-24.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Yellow shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Part Shade to Full Shade
Low to Average Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early to Mid Spring
Bee Friendly
Deer and Rabbit Resistant
Evergreen
Growth Rate: Slow
Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Drought Tolerant, Easy To Grow, Mass Planting, Salt Tolerant
Helleborus 'California Dreaming' is a relatively new and beautiful Lenten Rose, part of the Proven Selections® brand and the Honeymoon™ series . Renowned plant breeder Hans Hansen, Director of New Plants at Walters Gardens, hybridized this variety . The Honeymoon™ series was developed by Hansen, who selected for plants with notable vigor, showy floral displays with large numbers of blossoms per plant, and rich flower colors . 'California Dreaming' is also part of the Winter Thriller™ series, known for producing exceptionally beautiful, outfacing flowers that stand tall on sturdy stems . This cultivar has large, single, clear yellow flowers that are about 3 inches across . The flowers have occasional burgundy spots near the base . They bloom heavily in early to mid-spring and rise on sturdy stems above glossy, dark green, evergreen foliage . This provides year-round interest, making it ideal for brightening shady areas under deciduous trees and shrubs . This stunning variety is native to Europe and western Asia.
Helleborus 'California Dreaming' grows in a bushy, upright clump, reaching up to 18-24 inches tall and wide . It has a slow growth rate and is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 . It prefers partial shade to full shade . The flowers are showy and long-lasting, blooming for up to 6 weeks, which is a longer blooming period than many other plants . Even after the blooming period ends, the spent blooms remain beautiful for several weeks . As an early bloomer, it provides color when few other plants are in bloom . One of the unique characteristics of this cultivar is its outward-facing flowers, a result of breeding advancements . This makes the flowers more visible and adds to their overall appeal. This cultivar is also deer and rabbit resistant and tolerates salt.
Toxicity It is important to note that Helleborus 'California Dreaming', like other Helleborus varieties, is toxic to humans and animals . Ingestion may cause severe discomfort and skin irritation. It is recommended to wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling this plant.
Care Helleborus 'California Dreaming' is known for being low-maintenance and generally disease/pest-free . It is adaptable to most growing conditions, though it prefers rich, moist, organic soil . It can tolerate short periods of drought . To keep the roots, cool during the summer months, it is recommended to push pots together tightly . Using reflective aluminum shade cloth can also help keep the plants cool in the summer.
Planting The ideal time to plant Helleborus 'California Dreaming' is in the winter . While it prefers moist soil, it can also tolerate short periods of drought . For the best visual impact, plant in groups . It may not flower the first year after planting.
Watering Water regularly during the first year after planting and during prolonged dry periods . Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant.
Fertilizing A yearly feeding of fertilizer will yield larger plants with more flowers.
Pruning Simply trim back the previous year's foliage in the spring.
Pests and Diseases No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for aphids, snails, hellebore leaf spot, and hellebore black death.
Growing Conditions Helleborus 'California Dreaming' thrives in partial to full shade, especially during the summer months . It benefits from more sunlight in winter, making a spot under deciduous trees ideal . It prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter . Select a sheltered site to protect your hellebores from cold winter winds . This cultivar is adaptable to various soil types and pH levels, though it prefers a soil pH that is close to neutral and even alkaline . In a production environment, juvenile plants benefit from a lower pH of 5.5-5.8 . The optimal temperature for growing Helleborus 'California Dreaming' is 50-55° F during the day and 40-45° F at night . This plant has the potential to naturalize and spread through its extensive root system.
Uses Helleborus 'California Dreaming' can be used as a cut flower and is suitable for mass plantings, rock/alpine gardens, and border edging.
Companion Planting Helleborus 'California Dreaming' pairs well with other shade-loving plants, such as:
- Ferns
- Tiarella
- Campanula
- Alchemilla
- Hosta
- Phlox divaricata
- Pulmonaria
Dividing and Transplanting Although Helleborus 'California Dreaming' may be slow to settle in, once established, it rarely needs division and may resent it.
Benefits in the Garden Helleborus 'California Dreaming' provides valuable nectar for early pollinators.
Other Helleborus Varieties There are many other varieties of Helleborus. These varieties are generally classified into two groups: stemmed (caulescent) and stemless (acaulescent) . The stemmed species grow stems above ground level, while the stemless species do not . The stemless species are very long-lived, reaching an age of up to 25 years in optimal habitat conditions.
Here are some examples of Helleborus varieties:
Acaulescent:
- Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose)
- Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose)
- Helleborus 'Ivory Prince' . This is a hybrid of two other hybrids, 'x nigercors' and 'x ericsmithii'.
Caulescent:
- Helleborus argutifolius (Corsican Hellebore)
- Helleborus foetidus (Stinking Hellebore)
Another notable variety is the "Royal Heritage" strain, known for its wide diversity of colors and patterns on large, two-inch-wide pendulous flowers.
The distribution of the Helleborus genus is limited to the northern hemisphere, including Europe and Asia . Helleborus species are most highly concentrated along the Mediterranean Sea, but some species are also native to places along the Black Sea coasts.
Helleborus 'California Dreaming' is a stunning addition to any shade garden . Its cheerful yellow flowers provide a welcome burst of color in late winter and early spring, a time when few other plants are in bloom . This cultivar is low-maintenance and adaptable to various growing conditions, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners . It is also deer and rabbit resistant and tolerates salt . With its long blooming period, unique outward-facing flowers, and potential to naturalize, Helleborus 'California Dreaming' is a valuable asset to any garden.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
