Helleborus niger (Jouluruusu)

The Finnish name means " Christmas-rose". This plant blooms very early and is commonly sold in full flowering just before Christmas. I got my small plant as a present from my colleagues before 2010. It was first living in the green house but some years later I decided to try it outside under the Rhododendrons. And now it has survived several winters, but not blooming yet. The species comes from southeastern Europe and apparently tolerates low temperatures though its leaves are evergreen and soft.