Winter Jewels Hellebores; Photo: Ernie O’Byrne
Little Prince of Oregon Nursery has added the Winter Jewels series of Hellebores to its lineup, carrying on the legacy of Ernie and Marietta O’Byrne. The O’Byrnes have been carefully growing, selecting, and improving this line of seed-grown Hellebore hybrids for more than 30 years through Northwest Garden Nursery.
“Little Prince of Oregon Nursery is honored that Ernie and Marietta deem us worthy to carry on the legacy of the Winter Jewels Hellebores,” says Mark Leichty, Director of Business Development at Little Prince of Oregon. “We recognize that their diligent and patient work over many decades has created the most beautiful and desirable Hellebore hybrids found anywhere in horticulture. We plan to enlarge the program through careful selection and evaluation, providing even more improved varieties for Hellebore enthusiasts.”
A Polished Presentation
“We are so excited because we are convinced that they will continue, and even improve, the quality that we have worked so hard to achieve in 30 years of working with Helleborus × hybridus,” said Ernie and Marietta O’Byrne. “They are the first nursery that we have worked with that truly understands the dedication to meticulous detail that it took and will take going forward to preserve and improve the legacy breeding program that we have developed.”
Winter Jewels Hellebores are seed-grown with exacting standards to ensure steady improvement in features, including:
- Upright stems with gently nodding flowers (to ensure a long-lasting, colorful display and protect the integrity of the breeding line)
- Interesting coloration on the backs of tepals for enjoyment from all angles
- Double flowers with evenly spaced tepals that look beautiful from above
- Fine foliage that complements, rather than overwhelms the flowers
- Deep, saturated, and even color in flowers
If you’re interested in growing Winter Jewels, now is the time to pre-order liners for the 2024 through 2026 growing seasons for guaranteed availability. For more information about purchasing liners from Little Prince of Oregon, visit their Plug & Liner page here.
Garden centers seeking Winter Jewels Hellebores or other finished plants can learn more here.
In addition to Winter Jewels liners, Little Prince of Oregon offers grower-ready young plants for shipping across the U.S. and Canada. Its special focus is on unusual, rare, and hard-to-find houseplants, perennials, and natives.