Helleborus 'Brandywine' is a striking perennial known for its long lasting blooms that appear in late winter to early spring. A hybrid strain offering a mix of single and double flower forms in shades of pink, purple, white, and green.
Height & Spread: 18 - 24 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Late winter to early spring
Light Requirements: Partial to full shade
Soil Preference: Moist, well drained soil with rich organic matter
Watering needs: Moderate, avoid overly wet conditions
Deer resistance: High
NATIVE STATUS
Cultivated hybrid derived from several Eurasian species of Helleborus, selected for ornamental use and garden adaptability.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Painted Ladies are drawn to the nectar of the early blooms. These butterflies use the plant as a food source during early spring when few other flowers are blooming.
Bees
- Early season pollinators are attracted to the flowers for their nectar. As one of the first blooms of spring, it provides an important food source for bees emerging from hibernation.
Birds
- Not particularly attracted to the flowers themselves, birds find shelter and cover in the evergreen foliage during colder months. The plant's leaves offer protection from the elements.
SPACING & LANDSCAPE USE
Spacing Recommendations
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Space plants 18 - 24 in apart to allow for proper growth and airflow, ensuring that each plant has room to spread without crowding.
Landscape Placement
- Ideal for shaded or woodland garden beds. It can also be used as a ground cover or a border plant. Its early blooms make it a standout in gardens that need winter or spring interest, especially beneath deciduous trees or along shaded pathways.
COMPANION PLANTS
- Hosta 'Sum and Substance' (Sum and Substance Hosta) - Large, bold-leaved perennial that complements the delicate flowers of the hellebore with its impressive foliage.
- Astilbe 'Fanal' (Fanal Astilbe) - Deep red, feathery blooms that contrast beautifully with the soft pink and purple tones of the hellebore flowers.
- Heuchera 'Caramel' (Caramel Coral Bells) - Features bright caramel-colored foliage that provides an excellent contrast to the dark green leaves of Helleborus.
- Brunnera macrophylla (False Forget-Me-Not) - Has blue flowers that bloom in early spring, providing color and texture alongside the hellebore’s blooms.
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Dicentra 'Luxuriant' (Luxuriant Bleeding Heart) - This plant produces pink, heart-shaped flowers that add to the romantic, woodland feel when paired with Helleborus.