Product Description
Helleborus 'Maid of Honor' (30)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.
‘Maid of Honor’ ranges in color from light to dark pink, bearing 2-3” double 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: Pink shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) - Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)
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
Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Drought Tolerant, Easy To Grow, Mass Planting, Salt Tolerant
Helleborus 'Maid of Honor' is a beautiful and low-maintenance perennial, perfect for adding color to your garden in late winter and early spring. It is a hybrid cultivar of Helleborus x hybridus, commonly known as Lenten rose, and belongs to the Wedding Party Series, developed by hybridizer Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens. This series is known for its double-flowered selections in various colors. This lovely plant boasts large, double, light to dark pink flowers, reaching up to 2-3 inches in diameter, during the early to mid-spring season. The nodding flowers rise on sturdy stems and contrast beautifully with the glossy, dark green, evergreen foliage. As its name suggests, this enchanting cultivar often blooms during the Christian season of Lent.
Helleborus 'Maid of Honor' is a standout variety with several notable characteristics:
- Flowers: Large, double, light to dark pink flowers, 2-3 inches across. Blooms heavily in early to mid-spring and lasts for up to 6 weeks. Even the spent blooms remain attractive for weeks. Thanks to breeding advancements that improved stem strength and modified bud placement, the blooms face outward, making them even more eye-catching.
- Foliage: Glossy, dark green, evergreen foliage that provides year-round interest.
- Growth Habit: Grows in a bushy, upright clump, reaching 18-24 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
- Hardiness: Hardy in USDA zones 4-9.
- Other Notable Features:
- Deer and rabbit resistant, making it a great choice for gardens with these common pests.
- Good for cut flowers, allowing you to bring the beauty of the garden indoors.
- Dry shade tolerant, making it suitable for a variety of garden conditions.
- Can be grown in containers or used as edging plants, offering versatility in garden design.
- Attracts pollinators, contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem.
The Wedding Party series, to which 'Maid of Honor' belongs, was developed with a focus on vigor, showy floral displays with numerous blossoms, and rich flower colors. This careful breeding process has resulted in a cultivar that is both beautiful and resilient.
Uses The versatility of Helleborus 'Maid of Honor' extends beyond its role as a garden plant. The delicate blooms can also be floated in clear bowls for an elegant centerpiece, adding a touch of natural beauty to your home décor.
Care Requirements Helleborus 'Maid of Honor' is relatively easy to care for, making it a popular choice for gardeners of all skill levels. Here are some essential care requirements:
- Light: Thrives in partial shade to full shade.
- Soil: Prefers fertile, humus-rich, moist, neutral to alkaline, well-drained soil. Avoid soils that are prone to drying out or staying wet.
- Water: Water regularly, especially during the first growing season, to help the plant establish itself. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant.
- Fertilizer: A yearly feeding of fertilizer can promote larger plants with more flowers.
- Pruning: Remove faded flower stems to encourage new growth and maintain a neat appearance. You can trim back the foliage in the fall or leave it for winter interest.
- Pests and Diseases: Generally, pest and disease-free, but keep an eye out for aphids, snails, hellebore leaf spot, and hellebore black death.
- Safety Precautions: All parts of the plant are toxic to humans and animals, so handle with care and keep away from children and pets.
Ideal Growing Conditions Helleborus 'Maid of Honor' thrives in a woodland setting with dappled shade and moist, well-drained soil. It prefers a sheltered location protected from cold winter winds. This plant is ideal for brightening shady borders, containers, under trees or large shrubs, woodland gardens, or cottage gardens. It is particularly well-suited for areas with dappled shade under deciduous trees and shrubs.
Awards and Recognition In 2005, Helleborus was named the Perennial Plant Association's Plant of the Year, a testament to its beauty, resilience, and value in the garden.
Other Helleborus Varieties The Helleborus genus offers a wide variety of beautiful and fascinating plants. Here are some other notable Helleborus varieties:
- Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose): This variety is known for its white, outward-facing flowers that bloom in winter, bringing a touch of brightness to the dormant season. It thrives in USDA planting zones 3 to 8 and prefers well-drained soil in light shade.
- Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Roses): This species is known for its diverse range of flower colors and forms, offering a wide array of choices for gardeners. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9 and prefers light shade in organically rich, well-drained soil.
- Helleborus argutifolius (Corsican Hellebore): This robust variety features large clusters of pale green flowers and is more sun-tolerant than other Hellebores, making it suitable for gardens with more light. It thrives in Zones 6-9 and prefers well-drained soil.
- Helleborus foetidus (Stinking Hellebore): This variety has small, bell-shaped green flowers and a distinctive odor that some find unpleasant. It is hardy in USDA planting zones 5 to 9 and prefers part to full shade in well-drained soil.
- Helleborus x iburgensis (Frostkiss® Series): This series offers hybrids with slightly nodding flowers in various colors and marbled foliage, adding unique textures and hues to the garden. It is hardy in USDA planting zones 5 to 8 and thrives in morning sun or part shade.
Companion Plants Helleborus 'Maid of Honor' pairs beautifully with a variety of shade-loving plants. Consider combining it with ferns such as the Painted Lady Fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum) or the Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance'). Other suitable companions include Japanese Sedge (Carex oshimensis 'Evergold') and Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis 'Gold Heart'). These combinations create a tapestry of textures and colors, enhancing the beauty of your shade garden.
Helleborus 'Maid of Honor' is a delightful addition to any shade garden. Its beautiful pink flowers, attractive foliage, and long bloom time make it a standout choice for gardeners seeking early spring color. Unlike some other Helleborus varieties that may have a shorter bloom time or require more specific growing conditions, 'Maid of Honor' offers both beauty and resilience. Its long-lived nature ensures that it will keep looking fresh even after its main flowering period, providing lasting enjoyment in the garden. Moreover, its ease of care and wide availability make it an appealing choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Whether you are looking to brighten a shady border, add interest to a container, or create a woodland garden, Helleborus 'Maid of Honor' is sure to bring joy and beauty to your outdoor space.
Thirty (30) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 3 inches deep x 2 inches wide.
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!
