{"product_id":"helleborus-orientalis-hl7010","title":"Black Beauty Hellebore Seeds, Helleborus Orientalis, Gothic Garden, HL7010","description":"Black Beauty Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of the most dramatic and sought-after shade garden perennials available, 'Black Beauty' is a stunning Helleborus orientalis hybrid bearing deep, velvety near-black blooms with contrasting golden stamens, a color so dark and rich it stops gardeners in their tracks. Nodding, cup-shaped flowers emerge in late winter to early spring, often pushing through frost and snow while the rest of the garden still sleeps, making it one of the earliest and most rewarding bloomers of the year.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn exceptionally low-maintenance perennial, 'Black Beauty' forms lush, evergreen clumps of deep green, leathery foliage that looks beautiful year-round, with blooms that persist for weeks rather than days. It thrives in dappled shade or morning sun with afternoon shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens, shady borders, under deciduous trees, or alongside hostas, ferns, and astilbes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSlug-resistant, deer-resistant, drought-tolerant once established, and virtually pest-free, this is a true \"plant it and love it\" perennial that rewards patience,  it takes a season or two to establish fully, but once settled it will self-sow gently and naturalize beautifully for years to come.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease note: As a seed-grown variety, bloom color may show some natural variability, however, our seeds consistently produce the rich, deeply saturated near-black blooms this variety is known for, and we're proud of the quality of dark color our stock reliably delivers. Occasional variation in shade or form is part of what makes seed-grown hellebores special, but stunning blacks are very much the norm here.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eQuick growing facts:\u003cbr\u003eRequires cold stratificaton to break dormancy, see below\u003cbr\u003ePartial to full shade preferred\u003cbr\u003eMoist, humus-rich, well-draining soil\u003cbr\u003eZones 4-9\u003cbr\u003eHeight: 12-18 in | Spread: 18-24 in\u003cbr\u003eEvergreen perennial\u003cbr\u003eDeer resistant, slug resistant\u003cbr\u003eBlooms: Late winter to early spring\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSeeds can be sown in fall to experience a warm period, followed by a cold period. The variations in temperature break dormancy and seeds will germinate in spring. Alternatively, you can do the following to mimic these conditions:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSow just under the surface of the soil and water in. First keep them at room temperature for 6 weeks, this helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. Then cover with plastic to retain moisture and place in a fridge for 8 weeks. Then bring to a cool room (approximately 54°F\/12°C) for 8 weeks for germination. They may be growing at this point, though often they need a second cold period. If they are not growing, cover with plastic and place in the fridge for another 6-8 weeks. After the second cold stratification period, bring back to a cool (54-59°F\/12-15°C) room for germination. This double cold period is not always needed, but sometimes necessary, and is very normal for these seeds. Germination is in 30-90 days after the second warming period.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e10 Seeds\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe combine shipping on all orders, you pay one flat fee for as many seeds as you would like and orders over $35 ship for free to the US. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll our seeds undergo vigorous germination testing to meet or exceed industry standards for viability. Never GMO.","brand":"SeedCult","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53446199476587,"sku":"HL7010","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0973\/5815\/2043\/files\/0_20915f60-f84b-4e69-8fe7-0291769a1762.png?v=1782930451","url":"https:\/\/seedcult.com\/products\/helleborus-orientalis-hl7010","provider":"SeedCult","version":"1.0","type":"link"}