Give your hellebores a helping hand

Hellebores are often referred to by their common names — the Christmas rose and the lenten rose — but the true Christmas rose is the showy Helleborus niger, which flowers in early February with cupped blooms the size of teacups. The spectacular giant white blooms of each individual flower can reach up to 10cm in diameter, but if you have tried to grow these magnificent plants you will know they have a tendency to stagger weakly to the finish in March, with limp leaves and unremarkable flowers. Unlike the reliable Helleborus orientalis hybrids (which will grow almost anywhere — sun, dappled shade, dry shade, soggy soil), H. niger is very particular about the conditions it requires, so these striking winter flowers can be challenging.