Helleborus 'Ice N' Roses Early Rose' (Hellebore)

Ice N' Roses Early Rose is part of an Italian-bred hellebore series developed by Heuger that changed the way gardeners think about this plant. The defining feature of the series is upward-facing flowers, a significant departure from the traditional nodding blooms that require crouching down to appreciate. Early Rose lives up to its name, opening rose-pink flowers that can appear as early as January in mild Pacific Northwest winters, bringing genuine color to the garden at a time when almost nothing else is willing.

The blooms are large, often reaching three inches or more across, in a warm pink that holds its intensity even as the flowers age toward a softer blush. The leathery, evergreen foliage is attractive year-round, forming a bold, glossy clump that serves as effective ground cover under deciduous trees and in shaded borders. Ice N' Roses Early Rose is notably more tolerant of sun exposure than many older hellebore varieties, which expands where you can place it in the garden.

Hellebores are extraordinarily long-lived once established and resent being moved, so take time to choose a good permanent spot.