This new perennial is truly a one of a kind. Helleborus ‘Black Diamond’ is a new member of the helleborus family, also called Lenten or Christmas rose because of the region of their origin, where they usually bloom during Lent.
It was hybridized by Marietta O’Byrne of Eugene, Oregon, who has spent more than 15 years pursuing her passion for hellebores.
This spectacular plant has slate purple to near-black, single flowers measuring about 2½ inches (6.26 cm) across. After setting seed, the petals turn a unique shade of slate green, continuing the interest long after the plants have finished flowering.
In early spring the new foliage is purple when it emerges and it matures into a lovely shade of green.
Black Diamond, like other helleborus hybrids, commands a higher price than most perennials because of how long it takes to flower — four to seven years from seed — and produce enough to supply the market.
The leather-like foliage is very tough and resistant to many garden pests. Black Diamond reaches a height of 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 cm).
Hellebores are harbingers of spring, and can flower for six to eight weeks after snow and cold temperatures begin to recede.
If you’ve never grown helleborus before, you should. They are very easy to grow and maintain, and they are perfect for naturalizing in a moist woodland area. They like partial to full shade and do best in zones 3 to 9.
Good companion plants for Black Diamond helleborus are spring flowering bulbs, hostas, ferns and native plants.
Other Article Of Interest:
12 Perennials to Add Interest to Your Winter Garden
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Wow, Marietta is such a lovely lady, it’s so good to see this plant come from her able hands. I cannot wait to get this into the next edition of my book on black plants.