Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Helleborus x ericsmithii HGC 'Champion'
Winter's Bliss Lenten Rose
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Height
- 1.5 to 2 feet
- Width
- 1.5 to 2 feet
- Flower color
- White with soft pink markings
- Foliage color
- Deep green, glossy, evergreen leaves
- Bloom time
- Late winter to early spring
- Light
- Partial to full shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; remove old leaves in late winter to reveal blooms
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 9
- Wildlife
- Attracts early pollinators such as bees
About this plant
Helleborus x ericsmithii HGC 'Champion' is a winter-blooming perennial known for its showy, cup-shaped flowers that range from creamy white to soft pink. These blooms appear in late winter to early spring, offering a burst of color when little else is in bloom. The plant features evergreen foliage with leathery, dark green leaves that provide year-round interest in the garden.
Part of the Helleborus Gold Collection® (HGC), 'Champion' was bred for its strong, reliable performance and impressive floral display. It is a hybrid cultivar developed through the work of hellebore expert Eric Smith, who aimed to create plants with superior garden performance. This cultivar is ideal for shaded areas, where its elegant flowers brighten the garden through the winter months, offering both beauty and hardiness in colder climates.
Works well in
Borders · Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Wild ginger · Japanese forest grass · Astilbes · Heucheras · Siberian bugloss · Sweet woodruff
Design tip
Winter interest is the reason to grow it, so keep it near an entry where the bloom is noticed. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun and layer it with woodland companions for a full, settled look.
