Helleborus hybridus ViV Maeva

Maeva is a winter flowering variety of Oriental Hellebore that brightens up the dark days for many weeks from January. This Lenten Rose produces simple, very bright yellow flowers punctuated with small, irregular red spots. The greenish heart supports yellow stamens, which perfectly match the petals. This evergreen perennial forms a dense and compact clump of about forty centimetres in all directions. It can be grown in a large pot to decorate a balcony, or in the ground in the garden where it needs a shady spot and neutral to alkaline soil, but will tolerate some acidity. It is hardy enough to be planted practically everywhere.

Hellebore Maeva is a member of the Ranunculaceae family, which includes around sixty genera and about 2500 species. Many are poisonous and contain substances which are toxic if ingested - a natural protection to prevent them from being grazed by herbivores. Despite this, they are valuable plants in the garden, and many are highly ornamental thanks to their remarkable flowering, such as Anemones, Buttercups, Trolls, Aconites, and many others, including Clematis. Helleborus orientalis is native to Greece, Turkey, and the central and eastern Caucasus. It is a perennial plant that hybridizes very easily with other species to produce hybrids with very varied colours and forms. These hybrids are rarely given variety names; they are distinguished by their shape and colour characteristics. Hybrid Hellebore is a hardy plant that can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F), naturally growing in forests, thickets, and clearings up to 2,000 m (2,187 yards) altitude.
Maeva is a variety distributed by a Belgian company specialising in the in vitro selection and multiplication of Hellebores. This method of propagation ensures the perfect transmission of genes and the stability of species, which are therefore all perfectly identified by their name. Maeva is part of a large collection of hybrids selected for their compactness and floriferousness. This variety forms a clump of 40 cm (16in) high with an equivalent width, particularly well suited for pot cultivation. Place it on your balcony or terrace and this beautiful potted plant will offer you a stunning winter spectacle. The leaves are evergreen, live for only 8 months and are regularly replaced by new leaves. Their architrctural shape is particularly decorative throughout the year.
Maeva blooms in early January and produces new flowers for several weeks to brighten up the garden, a real delight during these short, grey days. Its well-joined petals form a simple, ntense, vivid, and bright yellow corolla. These petals are randomly speckled with small red spots making each flower unique. The slightly greenish heart is adorned with yellow stamens, creating an overall harmony. Maeva produces numerous flower stems, with the corollas opening vertically, as in most Hellebore varieties. They can even slightly bend downwards, allowing water to slide off like an umbrella, preventing accumulation in the heart that could cause rotting. Hellebores do not like to be moved once established, with young plants sometimes taking time to flower, so be careful when choosing their planting location.

This perennial adapts to neutral to moderately alkaline, or slightly acidic soils, preferably rich and moisture-retaining, though a well-established plant can tolerate dry conditions. Make sure the soil is well-drained, as Hellebores do not appreciate excess water in winter. It will be at home under a leafy tree, which allows winter sun to pass through but protects it from intense summer sun. With its compact, wider than tall, shape it can make a superb flowering pot to decorate a balcony or terrace.

Lenten Roses create a sensation in winter with their cold-resistant flowers, and Maeva is particularly attractive during this season with its very bright flowers. You can plant it alongside other varieties of Hellebore, which will allow you to enjoy variety in terms of colour and form from autumn to early spring. To create a strong colour contrast, plant Cornus sericea Cardinal, a superb Dogwood whose green foliage turns red in autumn, revealing bright red stems that will complement Maeva's bright yellow. The dwarf spindle tree Pierrolino is a similar size to this hellebore and is particularly decorative with its dark green evergreen foliage splashed with white. Also consider decorative fruits, like the berries of Snowberries, easy-to-grow and interesting in autumn and winter.