Helleborus x ballardiae Merlin

Common Name:
Merlin Hellebore

Description:
Helleborus x ballardiae 'Merlin' is a striking evergreen perennial that brings winter beauty to shaded gardens with its deep rose-pink to dusky plum blooms and handsome, leathery foliage. A hybrid between Helleborus niger and Helleborus lividus, 'Merlin' is part of the highly regarded Helleborus Gold Collection®, bred for its reliable flowering, strong stems, and compact habit. In Melbourne’s cool-season climate, it flowers prolifically from mid to late winter into early spring, with blooms that age gracefully to deep maroon tones. The glossy, dark green leaves are deeply lobed and provide excellent structure year-round. This plant thrives in part to full shade, preferring moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant once established and resistant to frost, it's perfect for underplanting trees, shaded borders, or growing in pots where its elegant blooms can be appreciated up close.

Form:
Shrub - Small
Shrub - Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding

Mature Size:
Height: 30 – 40 cm
Width: 40 – 50 cm

Aspect:
Part Shade
Full Shade

Flowering:
Flowers in Winter
Flowers in Early Spring

Flower Colour:
Rose-Pink
Dusky Plum
Deep Maroon (as flowers age)

Key Attributes:
Suitable for Pots
Perennial
Frost Tolerant
Low Maintenance
Evergreen
Winter Flowering
Deer and Rabbit Resistant (where relevant)
Long-lasting Blooms

Toxicity:
Toxic to humans and animals if ingested – may cause nausea, vomiting, or skin irritation

Companion Plants:
Hosta spp.
Brunnera macrophylla
Ferns (e.g. Dryopteris spp.)
Pulmonaria spp.
Epimedium spp.

For more information and photos of this species, Warners Nursery has detailed information available to the public here