Hellebores are all excellent garden plants, ranging from the small Christmas rose (H. niger) up to some substantial herbaceous perennials, and flowering from mid winter (a highly prized virtue) through spring. Even after the flowers are over, many of them have persistent lime green calyces, which will happily pass for flowers. The tough, leathery leaves persist all year, but it is a good idea to cut them back just before the new ones emerge, so that their beauty can be enjoyed without distraction. Add humus to the soil in autumn.

Helleborus xhybridus Sunshine selections are hand-pollenated F1 hybrids, produced in West Virginia. The parents are an amazing selection, with colours from virtually black to pale pink, and including spotted and picotee varieties. So expect some surprises.