Hellebore Helleborus × ericsmithii 'Snow Love' (PBR)
ABOUT
Helleborus 'Snow Love' is a captivating perennial plant that is particularly known for its beautiful flowers and lush foliage. The plant showcases an array of outward-facing, cup-shaped flowers that have a creamy white to pale pink hue. These blossoms often feature a subtle flush of pink or green along the edges or on the reverse, creating a gentle gradient of color that can add delicate interest to any garden setting. As the flowers mature, they may deepen in color, providing an evolving display throughout their blooming period. Surrounding the flowers, the foliage of 'Snow Love' forms a striking backdrop. The leaves are leathery and dark green, divided into several segments, giving them a toothed or serrated appearance. This dense foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season, often persisting through milder winters to provide year-round interest. Overall, the plant presents a harmonious balance between its elegant flowers and robust foliage, making it a cherished addition to shade gardens, borders, or as a groundcover.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ranunculaceae
Synonyms
Eric Smith's Hellebore, Snow Love Hellebore, Lenten Rose
Common names
Helleborus × ericsmithii 'Snow Love' (PBR)
ToxicityTo humans
The Hellebore is known to be toxic to humans if ingested. All parts of the hellebore contain toxins, including alkaloids and glycosides, which can cause a range of symptoms if ingested. These symptoms might include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and nervous system disorders such as dizziness or convulsions. Severe poisoning can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
To pets
Hellebore is also toxic to pets. Like in humans, ingesting any part of the hellebore plant can lead to symptoms of poisoning in animals. These may include drooling, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and potentially central nervous system disorders. In severe cases, it can result in heart failure or death. If you suspect your pet has ingested hellebore, it is critical to seek veterinary care promptly.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
1 foot 6 inches (45 cm)
Spread
1 foot 6 inches (45 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Garden Origin
Benefits
General Benefits- Winter Interest: Helleborus 'Snow Love' blooms in late winter to early spring, providing color when most other plants are dormant.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant, requiring minimal watering.
- Shade Lover: This plant thrives in partial to full shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens or darker areas of the landscape.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant: This hellebore has natural resistance to deer and rabbits, reducing the risk of damage from these animals.
- Long Blooming: The flowers have a long blooming period, often lasting several weeks or more.
- Evergreen Foliage: Its foliage remains green throughout the year, providing constant visual interest.
- Low Maintenance: Helleborus 'Snow Love' requires minimal maintenance once established, making it a good choice for gardeners seeking an easy-care plant.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract early-season pollinators such as bees, which are important for garden health and productivity.
- Ground Cover: With its spreading habit, it can serve as an attractive ground cover, suppressing weeds and minimizing soil erosion.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Illustration and Drawing Inspiration: Artists can use Hellebore as a subject for botanical illustration or as an inspirational model for drawings and paintings, capturing its delicate form and colors.
- Photography: The Snow Love variety of Hellebore, with its striking flowers, is ideal for photographers looking to capture the beauty of unique garden plants during the winter and early spring months.
- Special Events Decor: Hellebore blooms can be used in floral arrangements for winter weddings or other occasions, providing a touch of elegance and rare beauty.
- Garden Design: Snow Love can be used to create a themed garden area, such as a white garden, where it provides a focal point during its blooming period.
- Educational Tool: Hellebores can be used in educational settings to teach about plant genetics and hybridization due to the various cultivars available.
- Seasonal Crafting: The flowers and leaves of Snow Love can be used in making seasonal crafts, such as winter wreaths or table centerpieces.
- Fantasy and Magic Themes: This variety of Hellebore could be incorporated into theme gardens or stories centered around fantasy and magic due to its enchanting appearance.
- Textile Design: The unique look of the Hellebore Snow Love can inspire designs and patterns for fabrics and wallpaper.
- Color Theme Gardens: Use Hellebore 'Snow Love' to contribute to gardens focused on specific color themes due to its consistent color palette.
- Dye Production: Though not a common use, Hellebore petals, particularly those with deep colors, might be explored for natural dye production.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Hellebore is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Hellebore is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: Helleborus Snow Love is known for its ability to bloom in the depths of winter, symbolizing the ability to endure and thrive even in harsh conditions.
- Hope: As it flowers when the landscape is mostly dormant, it represents hope and the promise of new beginnings.
- Protection: In ancient lore, hellebores were thought to have protective qualities, such as warding off negative influences and evil spirits.
- Beauty in adversity: The delicate beauty of the flowers amidst the cold weather stands for finding beauty even in tough times, or beauty that does not conform to standard norms.
- Tranquility: The serene appearance of the snow-white blooms can symbolize peace and calmness, suggesting a quiet, reflective beauty.
WaterThe Hellebore 'Snow Love' should be watered deeply but infrequently, depending on the weather conditions and soil moisture levels. A good rule is to water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. During the growing season, this could mean watering with about 1 gallon of water per plant every week, although this may vary. Over the winter months, reduce watering since the plant requires less moisture during dormancy. It’s crucial to avoid waterlogging the soil as Hellebores do not like standing water around their roots.
LightHellebore 'Snow Love' thrives in partial to full shade, making it an ideal plant for shaded garden spots where few other plants can prosper. It is best positioned where it can receive filtered sunlight or morning sun with afternoon shade. Avoid placing 'Snow Love' in direct, harsh afternoon sunlight as this can scorch its foliage.
TemperatureHellebore 'Snow Love' is hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but it grows best when the temperature remains between 35°F and 85°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 0°F but should be protected from harsh, cold winds. Ideal conditions would provide a cool to moderate climate, which encourages lush growth and flowering.
PruningPruning Hellebore 'Snow Love' is mainly done to remove old, damaged, or diseased leaves and to improve the plant's appearance. It is best to prune in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. Cut back the previous year's foliage to ground level to allow the new blooms and foliage to be more visible. Pruning can be done annually to maintain a tidy appearance.
CleaningAs needed
SoilHellebore 'Snow Love' prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a pH ranging from neutral to slightly alkaline. A mix of garden soil, compost, and perlite or sand can ensure good drainage and fertility.
RepottingHellebore 'Snow Love' doesn't need frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current container.
Humidity & MistingHellebore 'Snow Love' tolerates typical outdoor humidity levels and does not have specific humidity requirements indoors.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Hellebore 'Snow Love' in bright, indirect light and cool temperatures.
Outdoor
Plant Hellebore 'Snow Love' in partial shade with shelter from harsh winds.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleHelleborus × ericsmithii 'Snow Love' (PBR), commonly known as Snow Love Hellebore, begins its life as a seed which, after sowing, germinates in a moist, well-draining soil environment with partial shade. After germination, the seedling establishes itself with a set of true leaves and starts to develop a root system. As it matures into a young plant, it develops a sturdy stem and more complex leaf structures that are adapted to survive in cooler temperatures, typically flowering in late winter to early spring. The mature Snow Love Hellebore will produce cup-shaped, white flowers that are sometimes tinged with pink or green, and as a perennial, it will enter a period of dormancy in the late fall. During its dormancy phase, the aerial parts of the plant may die back, but the roots remain alive, conserving energy for the next growing season. The cycle repeats as the mature hellebores self-sow, and new seedlings emerge to continue the population, with the plant reaching a natural end of life after several years when it stops producing viable seeds and its root system declines.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Helleborus × ericsmithii 'Snow Love', commonly known as Hellebore, is typically propagated by division. The best time to divide Hellebores is in late winter to early spring, just as new growth begins. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the established plant, making sure to keep a generous amount of soil around the roots. Using a sharp, clean knife or spade, the clump can be divided into smaller sections, each with at least two or three growth buds. These divisions can then be replanted in well-draining soil, ideally in a shaded or semi-shaded location, with the crown placed at soil level. It's important to water the divisions thoroughly after planting and maintain consistent moisture during the first growing season to ensure successful establishment.
