Helleborus hybridus ViV Carlotta

Carlotta is a variety of Oriental Hellebore with a compact habit and beautiful winter flowering in a lovely shade of red. Blooming in January and lasting for several weeks, this Lenten Rose produces single flowers with a yellow stamen centre. These flowers have a slightly angular and geometric shape, complementing the dark green, deeply cut foliage below them. The flowers are held on long stems above the foliage. This evergreen perennial forms a dense clump about forty centimetres in all directions. It can be grown in containers as well as in the garden. It prefers a shaded position and neutral to alkaline soil but can tolerate some acidity. It is hardy enough to be planted in almost all regions.

Hellebore Carlotta belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, which includes about sixty genera and around 2500 species. Many of them are poisonous, containing substances which are toxic if ingested - a natural defence mechanism to prevent herbivores from grazing on them. Despite this, these plants are valuable additions to the garden, as many genera have remarkable ornamental qualities, such as Anemones, Buttercups, Trollius, Aconites, and many others, not to mention Clematis. The species Helleborus orientalis is native to Greece, Turkey, and the central and eastern Caucasus. It is a perennial plant that hybridizes easily with other species, producing hybrids with varied colours and forms through random seedlings. As a result, these hybrids are rarely given variety names and are distinguished by their shape and colour characteristics. Hybrid Hellebores are hardy plants that can withstand temperatures as low as -15°C (5°F), naturally growing in forests, thickets, and clearings up to 2,000 m (7ft) altitude.

Carlotta is a variety introduced by a Belgian company specializing in the selection and in vitro propagation of Hellebores. This method ensures perfect genetic transmission and stability of the varieties, which are all identified by their names. Carlotta is part of a large collection of hybrids selected for their compact habit and abundant flowering. This variety forms a clump about 40 cm (16in) tall and wide, making it particularly suitable for container cultivation. On your balcony or terrace, this beautiful potted plant will provide you with a stunning winter display. The leaves are evergreen in winter, they only live for 8 months and are regularly replaced by new leaves. Their sculptural shape is particularly decorative throughout the year.
Carlotta blooms in the heart of winter, from the first days of the year for many weeks. The five overlapping petals that make up the corolla have slightly pointed tips, giving the flower a regular geometric shape. Similar to Teodora, Carlotta displays deep red corollas with a wide open shape, surrounding a yellow stamen centre, creating a strong contrast and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of this variety. These solitary flowers are held on long stems, allowing them to stand out above the dark foliage, which serves as a backdrop. Like most Hellebore varieties, these corollas are arranged vertically or slightly inclined downward, allowing water to slide off like an umbrella, preventing water accumulation in the centre which could lead to rotting. Hellebores do not like to be moved once established, and young shoots may take some time to flower. Therefore, choose their location carefully.
This perennial adapts to neutral to moderately alkaline (chalky) soils and can tolerate slightly acidic soils. It prefers fertile soil that retains some moisture, although an established plant can tolerate dry conditions. Make sure the soil is well-drained, as Hellebores do not tolerate excessive water in winter. It thrives under leafy trees that allow winter sunlight to filter through but protect it from the intense summer sun. With its compact habit, wider than tall, it makes a stunning potted plant to decorate a balcony or terrace.

You will appreciate this Lenten Rose for its beautiful bright red flowers in the heart of winter. The vast group of Hellebores includes species and varieties that allow shaded beds to bloom from late summer to early spring. To diversify your plantings, you can plant them with other plants that flower during this less favourable period, such as some autumn Asters that tolerate partial shade, like Aster ericoides Esther, which will reward you with a multitude of small daisies from September to November. Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), also a member of the Ranunculaceae family like Carlotta, will enchant you with its bright yellow flowers as early as February, while the numerous varieties of Bergenia will take over until spring with their colourful flower spikes. Don't forget about decorative foliage and bark to enliven your beds in winter.