‘Potter’s Wheel’

Since the 1950s, ‘Potter’s Wheel’ has been one of the most famous forms of Christmas rose. A mystery hellebore seedling appeared at the rented home of Major G. H. Tristram in Staffordshire. He had planted a bed of roses and the seedling appeared, even though there were no other hellebores nearby.

He gave the plant to nursery owner Hilda Davenport-Jones in Kent. The seedling plant had large flowers, but it was a slow-grower, and Hilda couldn’t quickly ‘bulk’ it up for sale (usually carried out by cuttings). So she collected the seed and over several seasons rigorously selected a uniform strain. Over the years, ‘Potter’s Wheel’ has won numerous awards.