Hellebores - An Amazing Winter and Early Spring Display

A decade ago, hellebores were difficult to find in a garden center. Today, however, they are among the most sought-after perennials because of their early bloom, long-lasting flowers, shade tolerance, and handsome foliage. Their range of colors, both subtle and dramatic, are specular. They emerge quietly in late winter to remind us of wonderful things ahead.

Commonly known as hellebore, the genus Helleborus consists of approximately twenty species of herbaceous or evergreen perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae. This plant family includes well-known plants such as delphinium, anemone, buttercup, and aquilegia. Most of the common hellebores are clump-forming, low growing evergreens with toothed, palmate foliage.

The most popular and easiest to grow are the Oriental hybrid hellebores (Helleborus x hybridus cvs). They are USDA Hardy in Zones 5a to 8b. They can reach 18 to 24 inches in height.  Their common names are Lenten rose, winter rose, and Christmas rose but they are not closely related to the rose family. Legend says that after learning about the birth of the Savior, the Bethlehem shepherds decided to bring gifts to the baby Jesus. All the shepherds gathered everything they could, but one shepherd could not find a worthy gift. He wept with great sorrow and in the place where his tears fell, a beautiful flower grew, which became a gift to the infant Christ--a Christmas rose. 

Location is important when growing hellebores. They will perform their best in evenly moist, well-drained soil in partial shade, and they especially thrive in a woodland garden. They prefer being planted in decayed organic matter but are equally content in acid or alkaline conditions. Even when they get flattened by winter's harsh snow and frost in the spring, they revive with the first warming rays of the sun. This long-blooming, low-maintenance herbaceous perennial can flower before the snow melts. I have the utmost respect for a plant that braves whatever nature throws its way and can still show off its flowers.

Their blooms are often fragrant and last from January/February to April/May in Pennsylvania. Gardeners fall in love with hellebores when they see the flowers with their dainty heads nodding in the breeze in a spectrum of hues. Their range of colors from pure white, yellow, green, pink, plum, or dark midnight purple are a wonderful display in a garden. For those gardens that attract wildlife, hellebores are not appealing to ravenous deer.

Many gardeners like to plant hellebores on a hillside to better enjoy their downward-facing blooms. Some of the newer varieties have showier, outward-facing flowers. Their evergreen characteristics add to their allure in the landscape. Hellebores do well as companion plantings with hostas, astilbe, native perennial ferns, bleeding heart, and coral bells in a location that receives a few hours of dappled sunlight. A hellebore arrangement in a spring container is quite striking.

Hellebores can be divided in clumps to propagate them in early spring or autumn. Dig a large mass of root out of the soil for successful propagation. Make sure each division has at least two buds. When transplanting hellebores directly from nursery containers, be sure to shake off the potting mix and free up any bound roots. Be careful not to plant your hellebores too deeply as this can hinder flower production. Make sure the crown of the plant is just slightly buried beneath the soil. An annual application of manure or compost will help to boost the growth of your Hellebores. When selecting a location for a hellebore, do not place it in an area where it will be forgotten in the winter. Instead, showcase it somewhere that will be on display as you go about your landscaping during the spring season.

There is one negative component to the hellebore. All parts of hellebores are toxic when ingested, so exercise caution and keep children and pets away. The leaves of a hellebore can cause mild dermatitis and other skin irritation in some people. To prevent problems, wear gloves when handling this plant.

Provide even moisture for these perennials, although they will tolerate some drought once they are established. Damaged or burnt leaves can be cut off in autumn or early winter so that new leaves flourish in the spring and blooms can be showcased. Remove old flower stems as they decline. Mulch will help to keep hellebores cool in the summer. This perennial is tough and is rarely affected by pests, but watch for any slug or snail damage in the spring and control if necessary. Fertilize each spring and early fall to encourage the best bloom.

Hellebores are known to devout gardeners, but they are just becoming well-known to the general public. Hellebores have so much more to offer than the vast majority of common perennials. They continue to thrive and bloom yearly and are a great investment for your garden. This plant is rewarding to a gardener like me who strives to preserve a four-season garden. In the dismal months following Christmas, Hellebores are nature's gift to gardeners.  They are the epitome of care-free, long-lived perennials.  Consider adding some of these amazing perennials to your garden landscape.