Helleborus hybridus ViV Batista

Batista is a recent variety of Oriental Hellebore flowering in autumn in a beautiful colour. Blooming for several weeks from September this Lenten Rose produces single flowers, tinted purple with a touch of violet and illuminated by a yellow stamen heart. These magnificent cup-shaped flowers stand out above the dark green foliage that serves as a backdrop. The well-cut, evergreen leaves are sculptural and form a compact tuft, as wide as it is tall, decorative all year round. This Hellebore is a robust and hardy perennial, easy to grow in all regions. It prefers neutral to limestone soil but can tolerate some acidity. It needs moisture and protection from direct sunlight and can be grown in a pot.

Hellebore Batista is a member of the Ranunculaceae family, which includes about sixty genera and around 2500 species. Many of them are poisonous and contain substances which are toxic if ingested - a natural protection against herbivores. Despite this, they are valuable plants in the garden, as many genera are highly ornamental thanks to their remarkable flowering, such as Anemones, Ranunculus, Trollius, Aconites, and many others, including Clematis. Helleborus orientalis, the species, is native to Greece, Turkey, and the central and eastern Caucasus. It is a perennial plant that readily hybridizes with other species, resulting in many hybrids with varied colours and forms.  Varieties are not named for these hybrids, they are distinguished by their shape and colour characteristics. Hybrid Hellebores are hardy plants that can withstand temperatures as low as -15°C, naturally growing in forests, thickets, and clearings up to 2,000 metres (6.600 feet) altitude.

Batista is a very recent variety introduced to the market in 2022 by a Belgian company specializing in the in vitro selection and propagation of Hellebores. This method of propagation ensures the perfect transmission of genes and the stability of the species, all of which are fully identified by their name. Batista is part of a large collection of hybrids selected for their compactness and floribundity. This variety forms a clump 35 to 45 cm (14 to 18in) high with an equivalent, or greater, width, making it easy to grow in a pot to adorn a balcony or terrace. In the garden, it will be decorative all year round with its compact habit and sculptural appearance. Its foliage consists of palmate, slightly toothed, dark green and shiny, evergreen basal leaves which live for only 8 months and are regularly replaced by new leaves. Their shape is particularly decorative throughout the year.

Batista starts flowering from September, or earlier, and for several weeks until October. Its single flowers consist of 5 petals that form a cup-shaped corolla, from which the stamens emerge. The intense purple of the petals is crossed by fine violet veins that give the corollas a precious appearance, enhanced by the contrasting yellow heart. These solitary flowers are borne on long stems with small leaves. As with most varieties, these charming corollas are arranged in a vertical plane, or even slightly inclined downward, allowing water to slide off like an umbrella, preventing accumulation in the centre that could cause rot. Hellebores do not like to be moved once established, and young plants sometimes take time to flower, so choose their location carefully.
This perennial adapts to neutral to moderately chalky soils, or slightly acidic, preferably rich and moisture-retaining, although an established plant can tolerate dry conditions. Ensure that the soil is well-drained, as Hellebores do not tolerate excess water in winter. It will thrive under a leafy tree, which allows winter sun but protects from the intense summer sun. Its compact and wider-than-tall habit makes it an excellent choice for a beautiful potted plant to decorate a balcony or terrace.

This Hellebore is undoubtedly one of the best perennials for autumn in the garden, with its superb flowers in intense colours. You can associate it with other varieties of Hellebore for flowers until early spring. To add volume to your semi-shaded bed, plant winter-flowering shrubs such as Viburnum tinus (Laurustinus), with its beautiful evergreen foliage and long-lasting white flowers or Winter Viburnum, or Viburnum bodnantense Dawn, which produces highly decorative bouquets of pink flowers on bare wood. Its vanilla fragrance is so addictive, you will love winter! And to top it off, this multi-talented shrub's deciduous foliage turns purple-red in autumn. A perfect background companion for your Batista Hellebore.