Product Description
Helleborus 'French Kiss' (30)ct Flat
HONEYMOON® Series
Common Name: Lenten Rose
Try the lovely single-flowered selections of the HONEYMOON® Series from Walters Gardens, hybridizer Hans Hansen. 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.
'French Kiss' has 3-3½”, single white flowers lined with raspberry pink that veins in toward the center of the petals.
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 (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) - Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low to Average Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Spring - 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 'French Kiss' is a beautiful and unique Lenten Rose that is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any garden, especially if you are looking for early spring color. It is a particularly vigorous and floriferous variety, producing a large number of blooms. This hybrid variety was bred by Hans Hansen as part of the Honeymoon series. This stunning plant features large, single, white flowers with raspberry pink veining. The flowers are 3-3.5 inches in diameter and bloom heavily in early to mid-spring. The foliage is evergreen and glossy, providing year-round interest. Helleborus 'French Kiss' is a low-maintenance plant that is deer and rabbit resistant.
Helleborus 'French Kiss' was named the Perennial Plant Association's Plant of the Year in 2005. It is a perennial plant that grows in a bushy, upright clump. It typically reaches a height of 18-24 inches and a width of 18-24 inches. The flowers are single and white with raspberry pink veining. The petals have a deeper raspberry color on the back and bright green nectaries. The foliage is evergreen and glossy, providing year-round interest. Helleborus 'French Kiss' is hardy in zones 4-9. It is also deer, rabbit, and vole resistant.
This plant has received positive reviews from gardeners, who praise its beautiful flowers, evergreen foliage, and low-maintenance nature. Gardeners also appreciate that it can be used as a cut flower.
Care Requirements Helleborus 'French Kiss' is a relatively low-maintenance plant. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil. Here is a summary of the care requirements for Helleborus 'French Kiss':
- Light: Partial shade to full shade
- Soil: Fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
- Water: Prefers moist, well-drained soil, avoid overwatering.
- Fertilizer: Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer
- Mulching: Apply a year-round mulch of organic material to conserve soil moisture, keep the soil cool, and add nutrients.
- Dividing Plants: Hellebores can be divided carefully if needed, though it is best to leave them undisturbed whenever possible.
- Pruning: Remove old leaves in late winter to tidy the plant and make way for new growth and blooms
- Pests and Diseases: No serious pest or disease issues, but keep an eye out for aphids, snails, hellebore leaf spot, and hellebore black death
Ideal Growing Conditions Helleborus 'French Kiss' thrives in woodland conditions. It prefers partial shade to full shade and moist, well-drained soil. It can be grown in containers. The ideal temperature range for Helleborus 'French Kiss' is 0-35°C (32-95°F). It can tolerate temperatures as low as -30°C (-22°F) in winter. This plant prefers cool temperatures and shaded conditions. Helleborus 'French Kiss' is a slow-growing plant that takes 3-5 years to grow and flower. It is important to avoid planting other fast-growing plants nearby that could invade and occupy the growing space of Helleborus 'French Kiss'.
Helleborus 'French Kiss' is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, containers, and mass plantings.
Toxicity It is important to note that all parts of Helleborus 'French Kiss' are toxic to humans and animals. Ingestion may cause severe discomfort and skin irritation. It is important to wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling this plant.
Helleborus 'French Kiss' is a beautiful and unique Lenten Rose that is a great addition to any shade garden. It is a low-maintenance plant that is deer and rabbit resistant. With its stunning flowers and evergreen foliage, Helleborus 'French Kiss' is sure to provide year-round interest. It is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance, and early-blooming shade plant. However, it is important to be aware of its toxicity and handle it with care.
Thirty (30) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 3 inches deep x 2 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!
