Helleborus niger ssp macranthus Sunny Border Cyrtomium The black-green upright leaves form

The black-green upright leaves form a delightful small 10" tall clump (rarely taller)

From the Japanese woodlands comes this hardy edible ginger

violet-pink flowers (RHS 57C)

For overall star power

but no more

Helleborus niger ssp macranthus Sunny Border Cyrtomium The black-green upright leaves form(syn: Helleborus niger 'Maximus') This deer resistant subspecies of the Christmas rose from Italy and the former northern Yugoslavia (what little is left) is distinguished from the typical Helleborus niger in that it grows a bit taller (1' tall) and has more blue green foliage, often highlighted with silvery white veins. The slightly larger pure white flowers that emerge in December change to pink as they age, creating a very dramatic statement in the