In the garden

Commonly known as the Christmas rose, Helleborus niger bears large, bowl-shaped, creamy-white flowers that are occasionally flushed and are borne in loose clusters above a mound of low-growing, deep green, leathery foliage. During January and February, old leaves should be cut back down to ground level to help prevent common fungal diseases, such as hellebore leaf spot, and to draw focus to the emerging blooms. The plant also does well in containers, planted in rich organic potting soil that has excellent drainage. Here, stems have been clustered together for display in a simple wire basket to allow their exquisite blooms to be enjoyed a little closer.