Helleborus plant named ‘HL 1072’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Helleborus plant named ‘HL 1072’, characterized by its upright to somewhat outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; dark green-colored leaflets; freely flowering habit; flowers with pinkish white-colored sepals with faint reddish purple-colored marbling; and good garden performance.

Description

[0001] Botanical designation: Helleborus x niger X Helleborus x hybridus.

[0002] Cultivar denomination: ‘HL 1072’.CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] A European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Inventor / Applicant, Mr. Josef Heuger of Glandorf, Germany, on Nov. 30, 2024, application number 2024 / 2909. This application has been withdrawn. Foreign priority is not claimed to this application.

[0004] A second European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Inventor / Applicant, Mr. Josef Heuger of Glandorf, Germany, on Sep. 26, 2025, application number 2025 / 2041. Foreign priority is not claimed to this application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Helleborus plant, botanically known as Helleborus x niger X Helleborus x hybridus and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘HL 1072’.

[0006] The new Helleborus plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Glandorf, Germany. The objective of the breeding program was to create new uniform Helleborus plants with unique leaf and flower coloration and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

[0007] The new Helleborus plant originated from a cross-pollination conducted by the Inventor in Glandorf, Germany in November, 2019 of a proprietary selection of Helleborus x niger identified as code number 001, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent and a proprietary selection of Helleborus x hybridus identified as code number 16-84, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Helleborus plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment in Glandorf, Germany in December, 2021.

[0008] Asexual reproduction of the new Helleborus plant by in vitro axillary meristem culture in a controlled environment in Glandorf, Germany since September, 2022 has shown that the unique features of this new Helleborus plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Plants of the new Helleborus have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

[0010] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘HL 1072’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘HL 1072’ as a new and distinct Helleborus plant:

[0011] 1. Upright to somewhat outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit.

[0012] 2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.

[0013] 3. Dark green-colored leaflets.

[0014] 4. Freely flowering habit.

[0015] 5. Flowers with pinkish white-colored sepals with faint reddish purple-colored marbling.

[0016] 6. Good garden performance.

[0017] Plants of the new Helleborus differ from plants of the female parent selection in sepal color as flower sepals of plants of the new Helleborus are pinkish white in color with faint reddish purple-colored marbling whereas flower sepals of plants of the female parent selection are white in color.

[0018] Plants of the new Helleborus differ from plants of the male parent selection in the following characteristics:

[0019] 1. Leaflets of plants of the new Helleborus are lighter green in color than leaflets of plants of the male parent selection.

[0020] 2. Flower sepals of plants of the new Helleborus are pinkish white in color with faint reddish purple-colored marbling whereas flower sepals of plants of the male parent selection are pink in color.

[0021] Plants of the new Helleborus can also be compared to plants of Helleborus x niger X Helleborus x hybridus ‘HL 1010’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 34,932. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Helleborus differ primarily from plants of ‘HL 1010’ in the sepal color as flower sepals of plants of the new Helleborus are pinkish white in color with faint reddish purple-colored marbling whereas flower sepals of plants of ‘HL 1010’ are purplish red in color.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0022] The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Helleborus plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Helleborus plant.

[0023] The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘HL 1072’ grown in a container.

[0024] The photograph at the top of the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of a typical flower of ‘HL 1072’.

[0025] The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet (FIG. 3) is a close-up view of typical leaflets of ‘HL 1072’.DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0026] The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown during the winter in 17-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Glandorf, Germany and under cultural practices typical of commercial Helleborus production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 12° C. to 32° C. and night temperatures ranged from 5° C. to 12° C. Plants were 48 weeks old when the photographs were taken and 14 months old when the detailed description was taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, Sixth Edition (2019 reprint), except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

[0027] Botanical classification: Helleborus x niger X Helleborus x hybridus ‘HL 1072’.

[0028] Parentage:

[0029] Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Helleborus x niger identified as code number 001, not patented.

[0030] Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Helleborus x hybridus identified as code number 16-84, not patented.

[0031] Propagation:

[0032] Type.—In vitro axillary meristem culture.

[0033] Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 55 days at temperatures about 12° C.

[0034] Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 170 days at temperatures ranging from about 4° C. to 15° C.

[0035] Root description.—Thick to thin, fleshy; typically white to brownish in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of roots.

[0036] Rooting habit.—Low branching; sparse.

[0037] Plant description:

[0038] Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial; upright to somewhat outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit with flowers held above the foliar plane; plant shape, roughly flattened globular to globular; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.

[0039] Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 28.7 cm.

[0040] Plant height, soil level to top of flowers.—About 35.2 cm.

[0041] Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 44.8 cm.

[0042] Leaf description:

[0043] Arrangement.—Leaves arranged in basal rosettes; leaves palmately compound with typically five leaflets per leaf.

[0044] Leaf length.—About 18.7 cm.

[0045] Leaf width.—About 19.2 cm.

[0046] Leaflet length.—About 12.6 cm.

[0047] Leaflet width.—About 5.9 cm.

[0048] Leaf shape.—Palmate; roughly reniform in outline.

[0049] Leaflet shape.—Obovate to obovate-elliptic; half of lowest leaflets are cleft.

[0050] Leaflet apex.—Acute.

[0051] Leaflet base.—Attenuate.

[0052] Leaflet margin.—Serrate; slightly coarsely undulate.

[0053] Leaflet texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous; coriaceous and tough; slightly glossy.

[0054] Leaflet texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous; coriaceous and tough; moderately glossy.

[0055] Leaflet venation pattern.—Pinnate and reticulate.

[0056] Leaflet color.—Developing leaflets, upper surface: Close to 137C; at the base, tinged with close to 183A. Developing leaflets, lower surface: Close to a blend of 138B and 146C. Fully developed leaflets, upper surface: Close to a blend of NN137A and 147A; at the base, tinged with close to a blend of N186C and 200B; venation, close to 144A and towards the base, slightly tinged with close to a blend of N186C and 200B. Fully developed leaflets, lower surface: Close to a blend of 146B and 147B; venation, close to 138B moderately to strongly tinged with close to 187B.

[0057] Petioles.—Length: About 15.9 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm by 8 mm. Strength: Strong. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color, upper surface: Close to 145A with fine dots, close to 200A, 200B and 200C. Color, lower surface: Close to 146D with fine dots, close to N199B or a blend of N186C and 200A.

[0058] Flower description:

[0059] Flower shape and habit.—Single rotate bowl-shaped flowers arranged in panicles; freely flowering habit with about three flowers per inflorescence and about 30 flowers and flower buds per plant; flowers face outwardly to slightly nodding.

[0060] Fragrance.—None detected.

[0061] Natural flowering season.—Plants begin flowering about ten months after planting; plants flower naturally from early winter into the late winter in Germany.

[0062] Flower longevity on the plant.—About ten days; sepals persistent, other flower parts are not persistent.

[0063] Flower buds.—Length: About 2.6 cm. Diameter: About 1.6 cm. Shape: Ovate. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to 157B and 157C; towards the apex, close to 155C.

[0064] Inflorescence height (including peduncle).—About 35.1 cm.

[0065] Inflorescence diameter.—About 13.2 cm.

[0066] Flower diameter.—About 10.7 cm.

[0067] Flower depth.—About 2.5 cm.

[0068] Petals.—All petals are transformed into nectaries.

[0069] Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: About five, arranged in a single whorl. Length: About 5.4 cm. Width: About 4.1 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate to broadly elliptic; slightly concave. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to a blend of N155A and N155B faintly marbled with close to 72B and 72C; at the base, close to 145C. When opening, lower surface: Close to N155B with marbling, close to 72A and 72B; at the base, close to 145C. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to N155B faintly marbled with close to 72B and 72C; at the base, close to 145C. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to N155B faintly marbled with close to 70A and 70B; at the base, close to 145C.

[0070] Flower bracts.—Quantity per flower: Typically one or two. Length: About 7.9 cm. Width: About 4.4 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate to elliptic. Apex: Acute to tri-lobed. Base: Truncate to cuneate. Margin: Entire and occasionally, distally, serrate; strongly coarsely undulate. Color, upper surface: Close to NN137A. Color, lower surface: Close to a blend of 146B and 147B.

[0071] Peduncles.—Length: About 29 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm to 8 mm. Aspect: About 20° from vertical. Strength: Strong. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color: Close to 183D with moderate to heavy marbling, close to 145B.

[0072] Pedicels.—Length: About 3.9 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Aspect: About 15° from peduncle axis. Strength: Moderately strong. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; slightly to moderately glossy. Color: Close to 183D with moderate to heavy marbling, close to 145C.

[0073] Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: About 100. Filament length: About 1.8 cm. Filament color: Close to 155C. Anther shape: Double and broadly reniform; basifixed. Anther size: About 1.75 mm by 2.5 mm. Anther color: Close to 154C. Pollen amount: Sparse. Pollen color: Close to 4D. Pistils: Quantity per flower: About five to eight. Pistil length: About 9 mm. Stigma diameter: About 0.3 mm. Stigma shape: Club-shaped. Stigma color: Close to 150D. Style length: About 8.5 mm. Style color: Close to 157D with marbling, close to 186C. Ovary color: Close to 150C. Nectaries (transformed petals): Quantity per flower: About 13 to 19. Length: About 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm. Shape: Tubular, flattened; apices, obtuse. Texture and luster, inner and outer surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color, immature, inner and outer surfaces: Close to 76D; towards the apex, close to 84D, tinged with close to 151C and marbling, close to 70A; at the base, close to 151C. Color, mature, inner and outer surfaces: Close to 151B with marbling, close to 71A and 71B; with subsequent development, color becoming closer to 154B and marbling, closer to 72B and 72C. Seeds and fruits: To date, seed and fruit development have not been observed on plants of the new Helleborus.

[0074] Garden performance: Plants of the new Helleborus have been observed to have good garden performance and to tolerate rain, wind, high temperatures about 35° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.

[0075] Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Helleborus have not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Helleborus plants.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0026]The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown during the winter in 17-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Glandorf, Germany and under cultural practices typical of commercial Helleborus production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 12° C. to 32° C. and night temperatures ranged from 5° C. to 12° C. Plants were 48 weeks old when the photographs were taken and 14 months old when the detailed description was taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, Sixth Edition (2019 reprint), except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.[0027]Botanical classification: Helleborus x niger X Helleborus x hybridus ‘HL 1072’.[0028]Parentage:[0029]Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Helleborus x niger identified as code number 001, not patented.[0030]Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary sel...

[0001] Botanical designation: Helleborus x niger X Helleborus x hybridus.

[0002] Cultivar denomination: ‘HL 1072’.CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] A European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Inventor / Applicant, Mr. Josef Heuger of Glandorf, Germany, on Nov. 30, 2024, application number 2024 / 2909. This application has been withdrawn. Foreign priority is not claimed to this application.

[0004] A second European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Inventor / Applicant, Mr. Josef Heuger of Glandorf, Germany, on Sep. 26, 2025, application number 2025 / 2041. Foreign priority is not claimed to this application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Helleborus plant, botanically known as Helleborus x niger X Helleborus x hybridus and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘HL 1072’.

[0006] The new Helleborus plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Glandorf, Germany. The objective of the breeding program was to create new uniform Helleborus plants with unique leaf and flower coloration and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

[0007] The new Helleborus plant originated from a cross-pollination conducted by the Inventor in Glandorf, Germany in November, 2019 of a proprietary selection of Helleborus x niger identified as code number 001, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent and a proprietary selection of Helleborus x hybridus identified as code number 16-84, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Helleborus plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment in Glandorf, Germany in December, 2021.

[0008] Asexual reproduction of the new Helleborus plant by in vitro axillary meristem culture in a controlled environment in Glandorf, Germany since September, 2022 has shown that the unique features of this new Helleborus plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Plants of the new Helleborus have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

[0010] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘HL 1072’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘HL 1072’ as a new and distinct Helleborus plant:

[0011] 1. Upright to somewhat outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit.

[0012] 2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.

[0013] 3. Dark green-colored leaflets.

[0014] 4. Freely flowering habit.

[0015] 5. Flowers with pinkish white-colored sepals with faint reddish purple-colored marbling.

[0016] 6. Good garden performance.

[0017] Plants of the new Helleborus differ from plants of the female parent selection in sepal color as flower sepals of plants of the new Helleborus are pinkish white in color with faint reddish purple-colored marbling whereas flower sepals of plants of the female parent selection are white in color.

[0018] Plants of the new Helleborus differ from plants of the male parent selection in the following characteristics:

[0019] 1. Leaflets of plants of the new Helleborus are lighter green in color than leaflets of plants of the male parent selection.

[0020] 2. Flower sepals of plants of the new Helleborus are pinkish white in color with faint reddish purple-colored marbling whereas flower sepals of plants of the male parent selection are pink in color.

[0021] Plants of the new Helleborus can also be compared to plants of Helleborus x niger X Helleborus x hybridus ‘HL 1010’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 34,932. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Helleborus differ primarily from plants of ‘HL 1010’ in the sepal color as flower sepals of plants of the new Helleborus are pinkish white in color with faint reddish purple-colored marbling whereas flower sepals of plants of ‘HL 1010’ are purplish red in color.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0022] The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Helleborus plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Helleborus plant.

[0023] The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘HL 1072’ grown in a container.

[0024] The photograph at the top of the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of a typical flower of ‘HL 1072’.

[0025] The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet (FIG. 3) is a close-up view of typical leaflets of ‘HL 1072’.DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0026] The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown during the winter in 17-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Glandorf, Germany and under cultural practices typical of commercial Helleborus production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 12° C. to 32° C. and night temperatures ranged from 5° C. to 12° C. Plants were 48 weeks old when the photographs were taken and 14 months old when the detailed description was taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, Sixth Edition (2019 reprint), except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

[0027] Botanical classification: Helleborus x niger X Helleborus x hybridus ‘HL 1072’.

[0028] Parentage:

[0029] Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Helleborus x niger identified as code number 001, not patented.

[0030] Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Helleborus x hybridus identified as code number 16-84, not patented.

[0031] Propagation:

[0032] Type.—In vitro axillary meristem culture.

[0033] Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 55 days at temperatures about 12° C.

[0034] Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 170 days at temperatures ranging from about 4° C. to 15° C.

[0035] Root description.—Thick to thin, fleshy; typically white to brownish in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of roots.

[0036] Rooting habit.—Low branching; sparse.

[0037] Plant description:

[0038] Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial; upright to somewhat outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit with flowers held above the foliar plane; plant shape, roughly flattened globular to globular; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.

[0039] Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 28.7 cm.

[0040] Plant height, soil level to top of flowers.—About 35.2 cm.

[0041] Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 44.8 cm.

[0042] Leaf description:

[0043] Arrangement.—Leaves arranged in basal rosettes; leaves palmately compound with typically five leaflets per leaf.

[0044] Leaf length.—About 18.7 cm.

[0045] Leaf width.—About 19.2 cm.

[0046] Leaflet length.—About 12.6 cm.

[0047] Leaflet width.—About 5.9 cm.

[0048] Leaf shape.—Palmate; roughly reniform in outline.

[0049] Leaflet shape.—Obovate to obovate-elliptic; half of lowest leaflets are cleft.

[0050] Leaflet apex.—Acute.

[0051] Leaflet base.—Attenuate.

[0052] Leaflet margin.—Serrate; slightly coarsely undulate.

[0053] Leaflet texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous; coriaceous and tough; slightly glossy.

[0054] Leaflet texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous; coriaceous and tough; moderately glossy.

[0055] Leaflet venation pattern.—Pinnate and reticulate.

[0056] Leaflet color.—Developing leaflets, upper surface: Close to 137C; at the base, tinged with close to 183A. Developing leaflets, lower surface: Close to a blend of 138B and 146C. Fully developed leaflets, upper surface: Close to a blend of NN137A and 147A; at the base, tinged with close to a blend of N186C and 200B; venation, close to 144A and towards the base, slightly tinged with close to a blend of N186C and 200B. Fully developed leaflets, lower surface: Close to a blend of 146B and 147B; venation, close to 138B moderately to strongly tinged with close to 187B.

[0057] Petioles.—Length: About 15.9 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm by 8 mm. Strength: Strong. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color, upper surface: Close to 145A with fine dots, close to 200A, 200B and 200C. Color, lower surface: Close to 146D with fine dots, close to N199B or a blend of N186C and 200A.

[0058] Flower description:

[0059] Flower shape and habit.—Single rotate bowl-shaped flowers arranged in panicles; freely flowering habit with about three flowers per inflorescence and about 30 flowers and flower buds per plant; flowers face outwardly to slightly nodding.

[0060] Fragrance.—None detected.

[0061] Natural flowering season.—Plants begin flowering about ten months after planting; plants flower naturally from early winter into the late winter in Germany.

[0062] Flower longevity on the plant.—About ten days; sepals persistent, other flower parts are not persistent.

[0063] Flower buds.—Length: About 2.6 cm. Diameter: About 1.6 cm. Shape: Ovate. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to 157B and 157C; towards the apex, close to 155C.

[0064] Inflorescence height (including peduncle).—About 35.1 cm.

[0065] Inflorescence diameter.—About 13.2 cm.

[0066] Flower diameter.—About 10.7 cm.

[0067] Flower depth.—About 2.5 cm.

[0068] Petals.—All petals are transformed into nectaries.

[0069] Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: About five, arranged in a single whorl. Length: About 5.4 cm. Width: About 4.1 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate to broadly elliptic; slightly concave. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to a blend of N155A and N155B faintly marbled with close to 72B and 72C; at the base, close to 145C. When opening, lower surface: Close to N155B with marbling, close to 72A and 72B; at the base, close to 145C. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to N155B faintly marbled with close to 72B and 72C; at the base, close to 145C. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to N155B faintly marbled with close to 70A and 70B; at the base, close to 145C.

[0070] Flower bracts.—Quantity per flower: Typically one or two. Length: About 7.9 cm. Width: About 4.4 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate to elliptic. Apex: Acute to tri-lobed. Base: Truncate to cuneate. Margin: Entire and occasionally, distally, serrate; strongly coarsely undulate. Color, upper surface: Close to NN137A. Color, lower surface: Close to a blend of 146B and 147B.

[0071] Peduncles.—Length: About 29 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm to 8 mm. Aspect: About 20° from vertical. Strength: Strong. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color: Close to 183D with moderate to heavy marbling, close to 145B.

[0072] Pedicels.—Length: About 3.9 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Aspect: About 15° from peduncle axis. Strength: Moderately strong. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; slightly to moderately glossy. Color: Close to 183D with moderate to heavy marbling, close to 145C.

[0073] Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: About 100. Filament length: About 1.8 cm. Filament color: Close to 155C. Anther shape: Double and broadly reniform; basifixed. Anther size: About 1.75 mm by 2.5 mm. Anther color: Close to 154C. Pollen amount: Sparse. Pollen color: Close to 4D. Pistils: Quantity per flower: About five to eight. Pistil length: About 9 mm. Stigma diameter: About 0.3 mm. Stigma shape: Club-shaped. Stigma color: Close to 150D. Style length: About 8.5 mm. Style color: Close to 157D with marbling, close to 186C. Ovary color: Close to 150C. Nectaries (transformed petals): Quantity per flower: About 13 to 19. Length: About 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm. Shape: Tubular, flattened; apices, obtuse. Texture and luster, inner and outer surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color, immature, inner and outer surfaces: Close to 76D; towards the apex, close to 84D, tinged with close to 151C and marbling, close to 70A; at the base, close to 151C. Color, mature, inner and outer surfaces: Close to 151B with marbling, close to 71A and 71B; with subsequent development, color becoming closer to 154B and marbling, closer to 72B and 72C. Seeds and fruits: To date, seed and fruit development have not been observed on plants of the new Helleborus.

[0074] Garden performance: Plants of the new Helleborus have been observed to have good garden performance and to tolerate rain, wind, high temperatures about 35° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.

[0075] Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Helleborus have not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Helleborus plants.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0026]The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown during the winter in 17-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Glandorf, Germany and under cultural practices typical of commercial Helleborus production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 12° C. to 32° C. and night temperatures ranged from 5° C. to 12° C. Plants were 48 weeks old when the photographs were taken and 14 months old when the detailed description was taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, Sixth Edition (2019 reprint), except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.[0027]Botanical classification: Helleborus x niger X Helleborus x hybridus ‘HL 1072’.[0028]Parentage:[0029]Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Helleborus x niger identified as code number 001, not patented.[0030]Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary sel...

Claims

1. A new and distinct Helleborus plant named ‘HL 1072’ as herein illustrated and described.

Images