We keep a surprising number of saints alive and well during the winter holiday season, starting with the jolly old elf himself, Saint Nicholas, and moving onto St. Stephen’s Day (or Boxing Day in Canada), Valentine’s Day in February and finally the celebration of the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day. Here at Amsterdam Garden Centre, we have our own version of sainthood in our Hellebore Heaven section, which includes both old and new Helleborus hybrids that just seem to outperform the others with large showy blooms, a floriferous habit and a vigorous growth rate.
All of these bring colour and beauty to our often bleak winter landscape and they also make a welcome Christmas gift for discerning gardeners. So, ignoring those showy double forms, here are ten single (with one anemone form) varieties that seem to be here for the long haul.
‘Anna’s Red’
One of the first Rodney Davey Marbled Group introduced and still by far, the most popular. Large outward facing reddish-purple blooms are nicely contrasted by the golden stamens and variegated foliage which flushes red veins in spring. Grows 15” tall by 24” wide. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
(📸 MK Lascelle)
‘Strawberry Moon’
Very large rose-pink single blooms are borne for an exceedingly long period, often from December right through to March-April. This selection from the Glamour series also makes a great cut flower. Grows 14-18” tall and wide. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
(📸 MK Lascelle)
‘Ice N’ Roses Early Rose’
A Heuger introduction that really lives up to its name, with very early (late autumn) rose-pink blooms borne in abundance on red-tinted stems. This particular variety can tolerate more sun than most and it is also a long-lived perennial. Grows 18” tall by 24” wide. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
(📸 MK Lascelle)
‘Sandy Shores’
This single hellebore offers unique apricot shaded blooms with maroon speckling and a delicate rose reverse. It is also quite floriferous and resistant to both rabbit and deer browsing. Grows 18-24” tall and wide. Hardy to USDA zone 4.
(📸 MK Lascelle)
‘Pink Frost’
An older variety which was bred by crossing Helleborus niger and lividus with blooms that emerge pale pink. These deepen as they fade to an intense fuchsia, which contrasts well against the silvery-green foliage. Grows 18” tall by 24” wide. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
(📸 MK Lascelle)
‘Honeyhill Joy’
A unique beast in the hellebore community with abundant greenish-white flowers held on rhubarb-red stems.These absolutely pop against the unusual, blue-tinged foliage, which almost looks metallic at times. Grows 18” tall by 24” wide. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
(📸 MK Lascelle)
‘Penny’s Pink’
Another older Rodney Davey introduction which remains very popular, much in part to its large outward facing, clear pink single blooms. The plant itself is also reliably evergreen with attractive rose-veining during the spring foliage flush. Grows 18” tall by 24” wide. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
(📸 MK Lascelle)
‘Tutu’
It has been awhile since I have seen this lovely anemone form hellebore, with its ruffled blooms of a unique purplish pink. I only have a few of these left in four-inch pots, so if you like what you see, come sooner than later if you want one for your garden. Grows 16-18” tall by 24” wide. Hardy to USDA zone 4.
(📸 MK Lascelle)
‘Glenda’s Gloss’
A lesser-know Rodney Davey hybrid with prolific blooms of white with a delicate violet-pink picotee. This variety bears so many flowers that the foliage is often completely smothered when it is blooming. Grows 15” tall by 24” wide. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
(📸 MK Lascelle)
‘Leona’
One of the Winter Ballet series with massive blooms of intense burgundy from December right through to spring. These are beautifully contrasted by the golden stamens on this unique niger x hybridus cross. Grows 12-18” tall by 24” wide. Hardy to USDA zone 4.
(📸 MK Lascelle)
Just in time for Christmas we are going to have 34 different varieties of hellebores in stock (including all of the above), with that number exceeding fifty shortly afterwards in the new year. So, if you have been waiting for some winter colour, come find it now at Amsterdam Garden Centre.
Copyright 2025 MK Lascelle
