Helleborus Jesko Gal.

Tired of your garden looking like a brown, dormant wasteland from January to March? You need the Helleborus

We love these at Mitchell's. These hybrids hold blooms outward and upward. In the King and Winston-Salem area, these are absolute workhorses for the shade garden. They don't just survive our unpredictable winters; they thrive in them, pushing up blooms even when there is still snow on the ground.

Why we recommend them for NC yards:

• The Deer Walk Right Past: This is a major selling point for our area. Hellebores are highly deer and rabbit-resistant. If you are tired of waking up to grazed stumps, this is the plant for you.

• Color When You Need It Most: These start blooming in late winter and carry on straight through spring, providing deep reds, pinks, or whites when the rest of the yard is still asleep.

• Tough-as-Nails Foliage: Unlike some perennials that disappear entirely, these have leathery, dark green evergreen leaves that look good year-round.

Best Used For: Woodland shade gardens, borders under large trees, winter containers, and shady front porches.

The Helleborus is a clump-forming perennial that generally stays lower, reaching about 18–24 inches tall and wide. They prefer shade to partial sun and rich soil. For more on how Hellebores perform in our climate, check out the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox entry or chat with us at the nursery.