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How to plant 

The bulbs are at least 3 years old and most should flower in the first year. They are supplied in pots because they must be kept damp – unlike most other daffodils which we traditionally buy as dry bulbs.  These delightful petite daffodils are well rooted in their pot.  There are at least 3 bulbs per pot however when planting do not try to separate them. Dig an appropriate size hole and carefully tap out or cut the pot open and try to keep the compost, bulbs and roots intact while planting.  This will minimise damage to the roots and maximise your success.  

Where to plant 

They can be planted in a larger pot with other bulbs and plants; in the front of a border or can be planted in ‘thin’ grassland and naturalised – as on the Alpine Meadow and Rock Garden area at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden at Wisley.  

When established, bulbs will become clump forming the longer they are in the ground. They grow best in moist, but well drained soil which is slightly acidic.  If they are happy, they will self-seed and are perfect for naturalising, especially in thin grassland. They prefer dappled shade so do avoid a planting position in full sun.  

Where to plant 

Meconopsis prefer a cool and shady position, with some shelter from the wind. They are frost hardy but during the winter protect them from long periods of rain to avoid waterlogging. If in a pot or container, put them in a greenhouse or cold frame to keep them from becoming too wet. This is to imitate their natural habitat in the dryer climates of the Himalayas. 

Compost and feed 

Ensure they are planted in free draining compost or soil. They grow well in neutral to acidic soils. If planting in a pot use ericaceous compost. 

Leaves 

The leaves die back during November/December, and then a rosette of new leaves start to form in early Spring. If in a pot or container, water them well as the leaves emerge and keep them damp throughout the Spring and Summer. Ensure they don’t dry out at any point during the growing season. 

Cut off the old flowers as they fade to encourage new shoots to form. 

How to plant 

Please allow some light and air into your plants immediately and keep them in a cool light place.  Ensure that the plants are kept moist at all times and plant them as soon as possible after receiving them.   

Prepare the soil well: dig over an area, add some compost or well-rotted manure and then plant them. Take care not to damage the roots and gently firm the soil around the plant. Keep the area around them weed free. Always water your plants in when you plant them either in a pot or in the garden.  Remember hellebores are hardy plants and so they should be kept outside, not in a greenhouse. 

Where to plant 

Hellebores thrive in dappled shade in soil that is well cultivated, fertile and always moist during the main growing period. 

Compost and feed 

Hellebores are hungry plants. Use a general purpose, free draining compost or well-rotted manure when planting. The main growing periods are during the Spring and Autumn so use a liquid feed every 2 – 3 weeks during April and May, and again in September. As Autumn approaches, top dressing them around the root zone with some bone meal is advisable but avoid putting this near the crown of the plant. A general-purpose fertilizer can then be applied in late winter.  

Leaves 

Hellebore leaves are ‘evergreen’ but do eventually look past their best, usually in late Winter. They can then be cut off and new growth will take place.  It is important to keep the crown of the plant open by cutting back any dead foliage and avoiding any build-up of soil or leaf litter. We do advise however leaving the leaves on as long as they look green and healthy. 

Occasional problems 

Black Spot:  Hellebores sometime suffer from fungal disease which causes black patches on their leaves. The easiest way to prevent this or treat if already present is to spray with a fungicide like Liquid Copper or something like Roseclear at the same time as you treat your roses. 

Aphids:  Sometimes aphids enjoy feeding on Hellebores. Use an appropriate control spray from your local garden centre or hardware store to prevent an infestation. 

Please note:  Hellebores can cause skin irritation and are harmful if eaten 

Our Harvington Hellebores® plugs are well rooted young plants that are ready for potting into a 1 or 2 litre pot for growing on. These are available to pre-order from February each season and are despatched as plug plants from mid April through to early July. Please use our Contacts page for any order enquiries outside of this period.

We also supply Harvington Hellebores® in 9cm pots, click here to view availability.

Harvington Hellebores® are excellent, easy to grow garden plants and flower at that time of year when there may be little or no other floral colour. They are winter flowering, frost hardy perennials, that reliably come back year after year, flowering from December through to the end of March. Their dark green, glossy, evergreen foliage also provides year-round interest. 

As a specialist nursery, now based in South Lincolnshire, we have developing Harvington Hellebores® for over 30 years.  All plants offered are propagated and grown by us here on our nursery.  We are passionate about the quality of our plants and are constantly striving to achieve clarity of flower colour, attractive foliage and garden worthiness within our hellebore range.