Id-Code: HA 360
Family: Ranunculaceae
Origin: Garden Origin
Special Features: Jelitto is delighted to be able to offer colorful seed strains in single colors that will come true up to 90% of the time.
See also 'Blue Metallic Lady', 'Picotee Lady', 'Pink Lady', 'Pink Spotted Lady', 'Red Lady', 'White Lady', 'White Spotted Lady', 'Yellow Lady', 'Double Ladies Mixed'
History: Developed by Helleborus breeder, Gisela Schmiemann of Cologne, Germany. Introduced by JELITTO PERENNIAL SEEDS in 2001
Colour: Blue-dark purple colors
Natural Flowering Period: February - April
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z3-8
Growth Habit: Beautiful leafy clumps
Foliage: Thick, leathery, dark green leaves, each with 7 - 9 serrated leaflets
Height with Flower: 35 cm (14'')
Spacing between Plants: 45 cm (18'')
Soil Requirement: Well-drained soils rich in organic matter, pH 5.5 - 6.8
Location: Partial shade to full sun
Use: The Lady Series has year round appeal but looks at its best planted in groups of 6 or more for fantastic winter interest
Specialities: Order for new crop available end of June
Please find additional information about Helleborus in our books:
Helen Ballard "The Helleborus Queen", Gisela Schmiemann (english edition), Helleborus, M.S. Ahlburg (german edition)

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 14,286
Seeds per Gram: 70
Seeding Recommendation: 30 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 2 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72s or open flats
Germination: To stop the germination inhibition give seeds a warm compost (about 22°C) [about 72°F] with constant humidity for at least 6 weeks. Then keep cold (-4 to +4 °C) [25 to 39°F] for 6-8 weeks. Usually, the germination starts at +4°C [39°F]. Raise temperatures gradually up to +10°C [50°F] until germination is completed. If the warm or cold period was not long enough the seeds will not germinate until the following year. They will then need another warm period (summer) and a cold period (winter).

Scheduling:
Best Sowing Dates: Sow fresh harvested seed June - August
Sowing to Germination: 16 - 24 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 12 - 16 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 16 - 20 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Not Necessary

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2''); 2-3 plugs per 15 cm (6'')
Vernalization: There is no current research on vernalization but a prudent recommendation for any perennial would be 6-12 weeks (a few might need 15 weeks!) at an average daily temperature of 40°F (5°C). Exposure to cold may not be necessary for flowering but might improve quality.
Forcing: Early spring flowering. No forcing necessary.
Fertilization: Medium (150-200 ppm)