Nov 14, 2023
Little Prince of Oregon Nursery adds hellebores Winter Jewels to its lineup

Little Prince of Oregon Nursery has added hellebores Winter Jewels to its lineup, carrying on the legacy of Ernie and Marietta O’Byrne. The O’Byrnes have been carefully growing, selecting, and improving this line of seed-grown hellebore hybrids for over 30 years through Northwest Garden Nursery.

“Little Prince of Oregon Nursery is honored that Ernie and Marietta deem us worthy to carry on the legacy of the Winter Jewels hellebores,” said Mark Leichty, director of business Development at Little Prince of Oregon. “We recognize that their diligent and patient work over many decades has created the most beautiful and desirable hellebore hybrids found anywhere in horticulture. We plan to enlarge the program through careful selection and evaluation, providing even more improved varieties for hellebore enthusiasts.”

“We are so excited because we are convinced that they will continue, and even improve, the quality that we have worked so hard to achieve in over 30 years of working with Helleborus ×hybridus,” said Ernie & Marietta O’Byrne. “They are the first nursery that we have worked with that truly understands the dedication to meticulous detail that it took and will take going forward to preserve and improve the legacy breeding program that we have developed.”

Little Prince of Oregon - From left- Winter Jewels breeders Marietta O’Byrne and Ernie O’Byrne gather with Joan Dudney, Director of Sales & Marketing for Little Prince of Oregon and Mike Hicks, Production Director for Little Prince — Little Prince of Oregon – From left- Winter Jewels breeders Marietta O’Byrne and Ernie O’Byrne; Joan Dudney, director of sales and marketing for Little Prince of Oregon; and Mike Hicks, production director for Little Prince.

Winter Jewels are seed-grown with exacting standards to ensure steady improvement in features, including:

Upright stems with gently nodding flowers (to ensure a long-lasting, colorful display and protect the integrity of the breeding line)
Interesting coloration on the backs of tepals for enjoyment from all angles
Double flowers with evenly spaced tepals that look beautiful from above
Fine foliage that complements, rather than overwhelming the flowers
Deep, saturated, and even color in flowers

Little Prince of Oregon A peek at the improvements of Winter Jewels hellebores throughout the years. — A peek at the improvements of Winter Jewels hellebores throughout the years.

Garden centers seeking Winter Jewels or other finished plants can learn more here.

Growers interested in growing Winter Jewels should pre-order liners now for the 2024 through 2026 growing seasons for guaranteed availability. Pricing is the same for each variety, with one variety per 72 cell tray. For more information about purchasing liners from Little Prince of Oregon, visit the Plug & Liner page here.