Helleborus HGC® Pink Frost

Burgundy buds of Helleborus HGC® Pink Frost open to out-facing, saucer-shaped blossoms of palest pink that mature to deep rose, creating patterns of color above lustrous, silver-veined foliage. Dark red stems enhance the overall effect. Propagated vegetatively to guarantee uniform plants. 'COSEH 710' PP 21,063

These aristocrats of the woodland garden are native to Europe and western Asia. The genus Helleborus contains about 20 species of perennials that bloom in early winter in mild climates and in late winter or early spring where the soil freezes hard, which makes them either the last or the first flowers in the garden. They require a moist but well-drained site with some shade. Take care to amend the soil with plenty of organic matter, such as well-aged leaf mold and compost. You'll be rewarded with long-lived, deer- and vole-resistant plants that will spread nicely on their own.

For more information on growing Helleborus, click Growing Guide.

We want our customers to receive strong, healthy plants that are ready to thrive in their gardens and homes. Here's what we'd like you to know about our shipping practices.

Delivery Timing

We aim to deliver your plants at as close to the proper time for planting in your area as possible. To do so, we consider the USDA Hardiness Zone to which we're shipping, current and forecasted weather at the destination and along the shipping route, and whether your plants are ready for transplant.

In spring, we ship first to the warmest regions and move north as planting conditions improve. For fall deliveries, we begin with the coolest regions and work south. We frequently adjust shipping schedules when extreme weather could put plants at risk while in transit or soon after arrival.

Because different plants reach readiness at different rates and are weather-sensitive in varying degree, a single order may be delivered via multiple shipments. Plants sold as part of a collection, or that are otherwise meant to arrive together, will be shipped together. Please contact our customer service team with two weeks' advance notice if you anticipate being away at the expected time of delivery. 

Tracking information for each package is delivered via email. 

Plant & Container Sizes

We deliver plants in various sizes and stages of growth, and the product detail pages of our website indicate the form and/or pot size in which the plant will be delivered. Pot sizes range from 1 pint to 1 gallon and larger. Many perennials, roses, shrubs and vines are delivered bareroot - that is, not in a container at all. Bulbs and tubers are generally delivered bareroot and fully dormant. We choose container sizes and delivery methods based on how each plant grows best, how we can minimize transplant shock, and how to minimize unnecessary bulk/weight in shipment. 

Caring for Your Plants Upon Arrival

It is important to acclimate greenhouse-grown plants to life outdoors. All plant shipments include simple instructions for handling your plants upon arrival. Further how-to information, including planting instructions, is available on each plant's product page.

Latin Name Pronunciation: hel-eh-bor'us 

These evergreen plants bring an architectural quality to the shady garden. Most bloom in early winter in mild climates and in late winter or very early spring where the ground freezes hard. Resistant to both deer and voles, they are long-lived and provide exquisite blooms at a time when flowers are a scarce delight.

Light/Watering

• Hellebores are at their best in evenly moist well-drained soil in partial shade.
• Water well during extended dry periods; they are drought-tolerant once established.

Fertilizer/Soil and pH

• Hellebores grow best in soil enriched with copious amounts of organic matter.
• The hybrids known as Helleborus x hybridus (previously called Helleborus orientalis) prefer a soil pH close to neutral and even alkaline; add lime if your soil is extremely acid.
• The Christmas Rose (H. niger) may be slow to become established; to help it along, try a dose of magnesium in the form of Epsom salts or dolomitic limestone sprinkled around the plants.
• Plants will benefit from a light application of granular, balanced fertilizer in early spring.

Pests/Diseases

Watch for slug or snail damage, and control with baits or diatomaceous earth.

To enjoy the blossoms indoors, you can simply cut off the flowers and float them in a shallow bowl of water. To use them in bouquets, cut the stems of older blooms that have dropped their stamens (tiny, stalk-like filaments in the center of the blooms) and started to produce small round seed pods.

Companions

Hellebores are lovely with other denizens of light shade such as:

• Ferns
• Tiarella
• Campanula
• Alchemilla
• Hosta
• Phlox divaricata
• Pulmonaria

They truly enliven woodland gardens. The larger, more exuberantly colored varieties or double forms are a great addition to the shady border.

Pruning

• Although evergreen, the foliage often looks tattered in early spring. Prune back dead and disfigured foliage before new growth appears.
• Remove old flower stems when they decline, cutting back to basal foliage, but take care not to remove the stems of Bear’s-foot Hellebore (H. foetidus), because they carry the flower buds formed in the previous growing season.
• If seedlings are not desired, remove old flowers before seed is set.

Dividing/Transplanting

Although plants may be slow to settle in, once they do, they rarely need division and may resent it.

End-of-Season Care

• Do not prune back now; wait until early spring.
• Mulch with salt marsh hay if desired.

Calendar of Care

Early Spring

• Apply a light application of balanced or slow-release fertilizer or side-dress with compost and organic amendments when new growth appears.
• H. niger may benefit from a side-dressing of Epsom salts or dolomitic lime.
• Prune back old foliage to make room for new growth.
• Transplant now if desired.

Mid-Spring

• Water well if it is unseasonably dry as plants prefer evenly moist soil.

Late Spring

• Watch for slug or snail damage and control if necessary.
• Remove old flower stems as they decline, and deadhead if seedlings are not desired.

Summer

• Pull out any unwanted new seedlings as hybrids may not come true from seed; move desirable species seedlings to permanent locations.
• Groom plants by removing yellow or dead leaves.

Fall

• Add lime to acid soil for H. x hybridus if a soil test shows a pH under 7.0.
• Do not prune back for winter
• A light mulch of salt marsh hay may be beneficial.

At White Flower Farm, we stand firmly behind every product we sell and are proud to offer a money-back guarantee on each and every item offered on our website and at our store in Connecticut. Some modest terms and conditions apply, click here for details.

Should you have any questions about how our guarantee applies to a particular product or circumstance, our customer service team will be happy to help – please contact us at (800) 411-6159 or [email protected].