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help

tony williams2tony williams2 Posts: 288
in Plants
Why can't i grow white helibore, i have two other colours growing great flowering and new seedlings every year ! but for three years i've tried, changing planting sites to no avail HELP.

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    when you say white Hellebore, do you mean the white version of Helleborus x hybridus (like your coloured ones), or Helleborus niger? The latter is much fussier


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • tony williams2tony williams2 Posts: 288
    I think it's niger , i did'nt know the difference !
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I'm on my third niger and this one seems to big getting larger and flowering where the first 2 got smaller and eventually died. They don't like to dry out, once they get established with the roots well down, they can survive a dry summer. Before that they are at risk. The taller hybrid ones are much more forgiving and come in white as well so you could try one of those.


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I’ve got a couple here but the flowers tend to be low to the ground, usually pop up with soil and look dirty. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • yorkshireroseyorkshirerose Posts: 574
    At last I have found a H. niger which is reliable - H.https://garden.org/plants/view/586779/Hellebore-Helleborus-niger-Gold-Collection-Goldmarie/

    I bought it from a Garden Centre 2 years ago and it has flowered profusely. This Winter I had about 15 flowers on it. Last year it survived heavy snow and freezing temperatures.
    A gardener's work is never at an end  - (John Evelyn 1620-1706)
  • PurplerainPurplerain Posts: 1,053
    Helleborus Niger, sometimes known as Christmas Rose prefers very specific conditions and unless they get them, they are difficult to grow.

    I grow them in a North facing sloped front garden, soil slightly acidic and usually damp. The ones at the top of the slope cope well, but the ones planted at the bottom of the slope fail to thrive as that area seems to be too damp for them. 

    I don't know if that helps, but it is my observation of them. 
    SW Scotland
  • cornellycornelly Posts: 970
    Our White one is in flower, lovely clear colour.
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    What is your soil type and how is it for light? The RHS suggest fertile loam or clay, neutral to alkaline and partial shade. I have poor acid greensand in partial shade and it grows well for me so they may be more adaptable than sometimes thought.
  • tony williams2tony williams2 Posts: 288
    I'm confused now acid / alkaline . My other helibores are in a shadyish spot .My soil there is alkaline and they are thriving. Such is nature I suppose. Thanks for your help Tony.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    My soil is alkaline and my third niger and all the hybrids and other species are fine. It's also very dry here


    In the sticks near Peterborough
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