{"product_id":"ice-breaker-ruby-hellebore-helleborus-x-ericsmithii-ice-breaker-ruby","title":"Ice Breaker Ruby Hellebore - Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Ice Breaker Ruby'","description":"\u003cp\u003eIce Breaker Ruby Hellebore (\u003cem\u003eHelleborus x ericsmithii\u003c\/em\u003e 'Ice Breaker Ruby') is the deep-coloured member of the Ice Breaker series, with warm purple cup flowers around a large gold centre. It grows into a bushy clump of leathery leaves about 30cm to 50cm high and 40cm to 60cm wide, and the flowers open early, from winter into spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour when little else flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep, warm purple cups with a bold gold centre open from winter into spring and are held up above the foliage where you can see them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRobust and vigorous.\u003c\/strong\u003e A newer hybrid that settles in well and bulks up into a full, bushy clump.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cold winters suit it, which is why hellebores are a staple of southern and highland gardens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandsome all year.\u003c\/strong\u003e The deep green, leathery leaves look good all year and set off the winter blooms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood in a pot.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is compact enough for a large container, so you can put winter colour beside a door or on a patio.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShady borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 50cm apart so the clumps knit together in a drift. They flower while deciduous trees are bare, then rest in the shade of the canopy through summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCottage gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e The dark purple suits ferns, white winter flowers and early bulbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots on the patio.\u003c\/strong\u003e A large container in a sheltered, part shaded spot brings the flowers close to the house. Water pots more often.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAway from play areas.\u003c\/strong\u003e Hellebores are toxic if eaten, and the sap can irritate skin. Keep this one out of beds where pets or small children dig, and wear gloves when you cut it back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Ice Breaker Ruby Hellebore in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sun to part shade, with shelter from strong wind. In cooler southern and highland gardens it copes with a sunny spot if it gets plenty of water; in warmer gardens give it morning sun and afternoon shade. Frost is no problem, but hot, humid summers are its weak point, so in the humid subtropics grow it in a pot in deep shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Good, moist, well-drained soil with compost dug in. Set the crown level with the soil surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly until it is established and keep watering through dry spells: the sunnier the spot, the more water it needs. Mulch to keep the shallow roots cool in summer, and apply a liquid fertiliser regularly for strong flowering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Deadhead spent flowers to prolong the season. In late autumn, cut the old leaves off at the base before the new flower stems rise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Ice Breaker Ruby Hellebore as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. A tube plant is small on arrival and puts its energy into roots first, so expect a modest first winter and a fuller clump after a season or two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hellebores\"\u003eBrowse our hellebore range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/hellebore-winter-rose-care-guide\"\u003eHellebore care guide: growing the winter rose\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-partial-shade\"\u003ePlants for partial shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/frost-hardy-plants\"\u003eFrost hardy plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Ice Breaker Ruby safe for pets and children?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Every part of a hellebore is toxic if eaten, and the sap can irritate skin. Plant it in a border out of reach of pets and small children, and wear gloves when you handle it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen does it flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom winter into spring. It is an early flowering type, and deadheading spent blooms prolongs the display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Use a large container of good potting mix in a sheltered spot with morning sun, and water more often than you would in the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790336655679,"sku":"HEL-ERI-ICEBRE-tube","price":33.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/ice-breaker-ruby-hellebore-helleborus-x-ericsmithii-ice-breaker-ruby.jpg?v=1792207711","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/ice-breaker-ruby-hellebore-helleborus-x-ericsmithii-ice-breaker-ruby","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}