Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Helleborus niger HGC 'Jacob'
Jacob Christmas Rose
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Height
- 8 to 12 inches
- Width
- 12 to 18 inches
- Flower color
- Pure white, aging to pink
- Foliage color
- Evergreen dark green
- Bloom time
- Late fall to early winter
- Light
- Partial to full shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; remove old foliage as needed and spent flowers to encourage new growth
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3 to 8
- Wildlife
- Attracts pollinators such as bees but resistant to deer and rabbits due to toxicity
About this plant
Helleborus niger HGC 'Jacob' is a delightful evergreen perennial that brightens the winter landscape with its pristine white flowers, which begin to bloom as early as late autumn and persist through winter into early spring. The outward-facing blooms often feature a soft green or golden-yellow center, creating a luminous effect against the backdrop of its dark green, leathery foliage.
Bred in Germany as part of the Helleborus Gold Collection (HGC), 'Jacob' is celebrated for its early flowering period and robust nature. It is well-suited for bringing cheer to shaded garden beds or containers during the colder months and is a popular choice for festive decorations or as a living seasonal accent in outdoor spaces.
Works well in
Borders · Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Rock Gardens
Companion plants
Sweet woodruff · Foamflowers · Epimediums · Hostas · Bleeding hearts · Solomon's seal
Design tip
Flowers in the quietest months make this worth a sheltered spot within sight of a window or door. Cooler light suits it, so tuck it on the north side of a shrub or wall where the soil stays even.
