Product Description
Helleborus 'Father of the Bride' (20)ct Flat WEDDING PARTY® Series
Common Name: Lenten Rose
Walters Gardens hybridizer Hans Hansen has a passion for hellebores. 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. The WEDDING PARTY® series showcases his double flowered selections, available in numerous, beautiful color shades.
Yellow flowers are large at 2-2½" wide and fully double. A burgundy pattern appear like an eye at the center of the bloom. 'Father of the Bride' is unique among double flowering Helleborus as it flowers are predominantly side-facing.
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/Gold Shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Part Shade to Full Shade
Low to Average Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Spring, Mid Spring
Bee Friendly
Deer and Rabbit Resistant
Evergreen
Growth Rate: Slow
Garden Style:
Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Drought Tolerant, Easy To Grow, Mass Planting, Salt Tolerant
Helleborus 'Father of the Bride' is a charming and distinctive Lenten rose that brightens the late winter and early spring garden with its cheerful yellow blooms. Here is what makes it special:
What Makes Helleborus 'Father of the Bride' Special
- Unique Flower Color and Pattern: It produces large, 2 to 2.5-inch wide, fully double flowers in a creamy yellow color, adorned with burgundy speckles that are concentrated in the center and fade towards the edges. This striking combination creates a warm and inviting look.
- Side-Facing Flowers: Unlike many hellebores that have nodding or downward-facing flowers, 'Father of the Bride' displays its blooms in a more outward-facing manner. This makes it easier to admire the intricate details of the flowers.
- Early Bloom Time: Like other hellebores, it blooms in late winter to early spring, providing a welcome splash of color when the rest of the garden is still dormant.
- Attractive Foliage: The evergreen foliage is deeply lobed and dark green, providing interest even when the plant is not in bloom.
- Easy Care: Hellebores are known for their low-maintenance nature and ability to thrive in shade, making 'Father of the Bride' a good choice for busy gardeners.
Description and Details
- Common Name: Father of the Bride Lenten Rose
- Botanical Name: Helleborus x 'Father of the Bride'
- Mature Size: 18-24 inches tall and wide
- Foliage: Evergreen, deeply lobed, dark green leaves
- Flowers: 2 to 2.5-inch wide, double flowers, creamy yellow with burgundy speckles, blooming in late winter to early spring
- Growth Habit: Clumping
- Hardiness Zones: 4-9
- Light: Part shade to shade
- Soil: Moist, well-drained, rich in organic matter
- Water: Water regularly, especially during dry periods
Landscaping Design Tips
- Shade Gardens: It thrives in shade gardens, where its flowers can brighten up the space in late winter and early spring.
- Woodland Gardens: It is a natural choice for woodland gardens, where it can mingle with other shade-loving plants.
- Underplantings: Plant it under deciduous trees or shrubs, where it can take advantage of the winter sun while being shaded in the summer.
- Containers: It can also be grown in containers, adding a touch of elegance to patios and balconies.
- Companion Plants: Consider pairing it with other early-blooming perennials that enjoy similar growing conditions, such as:
- Snowdrops
- Crocuses
- Winter Aconite
- Pulmonaria (Lungwort)
Planting and Care
- Planting:
- Choose a shady location with moist, well-drained soil.
- Plant in spring or fall.
- Space plants according to their mature size (about 18-24 inches apart).
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- Care:
- Water regularly, especially during dry periods.
- Fertilize lightly in spring if desired.
- Remove any old or tattered foliage in late winter before new growth emerges.
- Divide clumps every few years to prevent overcrowding and rejuvenate the plant.
Additional Notes
- 'Father of the Bride' is part of the WEDDING PARTY® series of hellebores, known for their large, double flowers in a variety of colors.
- It is a great choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance, deer-resistant perennial that provides early-season color.
- The flowers are long-lasting and make beautiful additions to bouquets and arrangements.
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!
