Breathtaking, double-flowered Hellebores from the Washfield collection, bred to perfection, adding sheer delight to your borders early each year. T&M are proud to continue the breeding work started over 20 years ago by Hellebore specialist Elizabeth Strangman, and want to share her passion for these intriguing plants with you. These delightful doubles are in a wide colour range including yellows, greens, blacks, reds, apricots and much more.

Height: 45-60cm (18-24in).

Limited seed availability. Seed will be sent fresh from our 2007 harvest. Any unfulfilled orders will be sent from our next harvest in June 2008.

Seeds may need pre-chilling.

Sow seeds immediately on receipt in pots or trays of moist seed compost and cover with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. After sowing, seal container inside a polythene bag and leave at around 20ºC (68ºF) for 3 months. Then, place the container and bag into a refrigerator (not freezer) for a further 3 months. Then, return to 20C. Germination can be slow. Examine container regularly and carefully transplant individual seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays. If germination has not occurred within this period, then repeat the cycle as shown above.

An alternative method of germination is to sow as follows: After sowing, seal container inside a polythene bag and place in a cold frame or sheltered part of the garden. Check regularly and ensure compost does not dry out. Germination can take up to a year.

The methods recommended to germinate this particular variety of seed are a simulation of how the seeds germinate in natural conditions. By following these instructions, you should achieve maximum success.

Gradually acclimatise plants to cooler conditions for a few weeks before planting out after all risk of frost, 45cm (18in) apart in a moist, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade.