Helleborus ‘Candy Love’ is a popular perennial that brings early color to gardens. Known for its winter and early spring blooms, it offers a display when many other plants are dormant. It thrives in shaded environments, providing year-round interest with its foliage.
Distinctive Features of ‘Candy Love’ Hellebore
Helleborus ‘Candy Love’ is known for its unique bloom characteristics. The large, saucer-shaped flowers, approximately 3.5 inches wide, begin as pale apricot and deepen to pink, then misty purple with red hints. This color transformation creates a multi-toned display on a single plant. Outward-facing blooms allow their beauty to be easily appreciated.
The flowering period is extensive, from late winter through late spring, making it one of the earliest garden interests. Abundant flowers emerge on purple stems above the foliage. Semi-evergreen to evergreen leaves are dark green, often with a powdery gray overlay, adding visual appeal even when not blooming. This combination of early, colorful, outward-facing blooms and attractive foliage makes ‘Candy Love’ a striking addition to shaded gardens.
Planting and Growing ‘Candy Love’
Successful planting begins with careful site selection and soil preparation. This perennial thrives in partial shade, such as under deciduous trees or along shaded paths, receiving winter/early spring light but protected from intense summer sun. While it tolerates some full sun in cooler climates, consistent shade or dappled light is preferred to prevent leaf yellowing. A sheltered location also helps protect the plant from harsh winter winds.
Soil composition is important for the plant’s health. ‘Candy Love’ prefers fertile, humus-rich, consistently moist, well-draining soil. A neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.5-7.5) is optimal, though it adapts to various soil types like clay and loam. Incorporating organic matter, such as compost, before planting improves soil structure and nutrient content. Plant with the crown at or just above the soil surface. Space 15-18 inches apart to allow for its mature clump-forming habit. Thorough initial watering helps establish the plant.
Ongoing Care for ‘Candy Love’
Once established, ‘Candy Love’ requires low maintenance for vigor and bloom production. Consistent soil moisture is beneficial, especially for younger plants in spring and summer. Established plants show some drought tolerance, but water when topsoil feels dry, avoiding waterlogging or prolonged dryness. Watering the soil directly, not the foliage, helps prevent pest and disease issues.
Fertilization needs are moderate; if organic or slow-release fertilizer was used at planting, additional spring fertilization may not be needed. An annual application of organic or slow-release fertilizer in late summer supports healthy growth and future blooms. For less fertile soils, apply a low-concentration balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in spring, but avoid nitrogen-rich formulas during flowering to prevent suppressed bloom development.
Prune ‘Candy Love’ by removing old or damaged foliage in late winter or early spring as new flower buds emerge. This improves air circulation, reduces fungal risk, and highlights emerging blooms. After flowering, light pruning maintains shape and removes spent blooms, though deadheading isn’t strictly necessary as sepals remain attractive. Hellebores, including ‘Candy Love’, are deer and rabbit resistant due to toxicity. While largely disease and pest-resistant, monitor for issues like aphids, snails, or hellebore leaf spot. Protecting the plant from strong winter winds maintains its appearance and health.