Product Description
Helleborus 'Shotgun Wedding' (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.
'Shotgun Wedding' has 3", double white flowers a very heavy concentration of burgundy spots. Compared to 'Confetti Cake', flecks are thicker, more pronounced and concentrated at the centers.
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: White 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 'Shotgun Wedding' is a stunning variety of Lenten Rose that is sure to be the star of your early spring garden. This beautiful plant boasts large, double white flowers with a profusion of thick burgundy spots. The flowers bloom heavily in early to mid-spring and rise on sturdy stems above glossy, dark green, evergreen foliage. Helleborus 'Shotgun Wedding' provides year-round interest and is ideal for brightening areas of dappled shade under deciduous trees and shrubs. As an added bonus, it is deer and rabbit resistant, making it a carefree addition to your garden.
Helleborus 'Shotgun Wedding' is a member of the Wedding Party Series, which is noted for its double-flowered selections in a wide array of colors . It grows in a bushy, upright clump, reaching a height and width of 18-24 inches . The flowers are approximately 3 inches across and have a heavy concentration of burgundy spots . The foliage is dark green and evergreen, providing interest even when the plant is not in bloom . This plant is also salt tolerant, making it a good choice for gardens in coastal regions.
- Care Requirements Helleborus 'Shotgun Wedding' is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow . It prefers partial shade to full shade and fertile, humus-rich, moist, neutral to alkaline, well-drained soil . Avoid planting in soil that is prone to drying out or staying wet . It is important to select a sheltered site to protect your hellebores from cold winter winds.
- Toxicity: It is important to note that Helleborus 'Shotgun Wedding' is toxic to humans and animals . Gardeners with pets or small children should take precautions to prevent accidental ingestion.
- Watering Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not wet . Established plants are somewhat drought-tolerant.
- Fertilizing Feed the plant using a balanced fertilizer or top dress the soil with organic compost throughout the growing season.
- Pruning Pruning is not generally necessary, except to remove old, damaged, and brown foliage.
- Pests and Diseases Helleborus 'Shotgun Wedding' has no serious pest or disease issues . However, keep an eye out for aphids, snails, hellebore leaf spot, and hellebore black death.
- Hardiness Zones Helleborus 'Shotgun Wedding' is hardy in USDA zones 4-9.
Garden Uses Helleborus 'Shotgun Wedding' is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of garden settings. It is a welcome addition to shady borders, containers, under trees or large shrubs, woodland gardens, or cottage gardens . Plant in groups for the best visual impact. Here are some more specific design ideas for using Helleborus 'Shotgun Wedding' in your garden:
- Woodland garden: Mass hellebores under deciduous trees to create a carpet of color in early spring.
- Slope stabilization: Their rhizomatous roots can help stabilize slopes and prevent erosion.
- Border definition: Use hellebores to define the edges of pathways or garden beds.
- Color gradients: Plant hellebores in drifts of gradually changing colors, creating a beautiful ombre effect.
- Container gardens: Even in smaller spaces, hellebores can be effective in mass plantings within large containers or raised beds.
Companion Plants Helleborus 'Shotgun Wedding' pairs well with a variety of companion plants. Some suggestions include:
| Plant Name | Description/Features |
| Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow' | A low-growing ground cover with bronze-purple foliage. |
| Bergenia 'Miss Piggy' | A bold plant with large, rounded leaves and pink flowers. |
| Brunnera 'Sterling Silver' | A shade-loving perennial with heart-shaped, silver-veined leaves. |
| Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) | A fragrant ground cover with delicate white flowers. |
| Epimedium 'Amber Queen' | A low-maintenance ground cover with heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers. |
| Tiarella 'Cutting Edge' | A shade-loving perennial with deeply lobed, variegated leaves. |
| Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Painted Lady Fern) | A fern with silvery-gray fronds and burgundy highlights. |
| Heuchera 'Midnight Rose' (Coral Bells) | A perennial with dark purple leaves and pink flowers. |
| Carex 'Ice Dance' (Japanese Sedge) | A grass-like plant with variegated foliage. |
| Dicentra spectabilis 'White Gold' (Bleeding Heart) | A perennial with arching stems and heart-shaped, white flowers. |
History and Origins The double-flowered Helleborus Wedding Party® series, of which 'Shotgun Wedding' is a member, debuted in 2015 . It is the result of years of work by Walters Gardens hybridizer Hans Hansen . Hansen selected for plants with notable vigor, showy floral displays with large numbers of blossoms per plant, and rich flower colors.
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.
Helleborus 'Shotgun Wedding' is a beautiful and easy-to-grow plant that will add a touch of elegance to your garden. This striking Lenten Rose features large, double white flowers adorned with burgundy spots, blooming heavily in early to mid-spring. It is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and thrives in partial to full shade with fertile, well-drained soil. Helleborus 'Shotgun Wedding' is a low-maintenance plant that is deer and rabbit resistant, making it a carefree choice for gardeners. It is also a valuable early nectar source for pollinators, contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem. With its versatility and unique beauty, Helleborus 'Shotgun Wedding' is an excellent choice for shady borders, containers, woodland gardens, and mass plantings. Consider adding this charming plant to your garden for a touch of early spring magic.
Twenty (20) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 3.25 inches deep x 2.6 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!
