Helleborus: Winter Rose, Lenten Rose
Helleborus: Winter Rose, Lenten Rose
Helleborus are tough, long-lived evergreen perennials which bloom from late winter to early spring. The clusters of nodding, cup shaped flowers bloom in shades of white, pink, red, green, black, dusky mauve, brilliant bicolors, and patterned petals adding a splash of color to a winter garden. The 2 ½ - 3” single or double flowers can last up to 6-8 weeks The 18-24" mounds of thick, deeply lobed, leathery leaves are typically glossy, dark green; variegated varieties add additional color interest throughout the year. Helleborus are a wonderful addition to any shade or woodland garden, borders, mass plantings, containers or naturalized areas brightening up the drab days of winter when other plants are dormant.
Culture:
Plant in partial to full shade in well drained, loamy soil rich in organic matter with consistent moisture. Fertilize in mid-spring and mid-summer. Deadhead flowering stems after blooms fade to encourage new foliage growth. Helleborus do not like to be transplanted and are slow to recover. However, plantlets form around the base and can be removed and replanted. They tend to be ignored by rabbits and deer in most gardens but can be attractive to aphids.
Our favorite varieties come from the following two series of hybrids.
Wedding Party:
The Wedding Party series debuted in 2015 was developed to showcase double-flowered selections with notable vigor, rich flower colors and abundant blooms.
Honeymoon:
The Honeymoon series was developed to showcase single Helleborus with abundant blooms.
We thank Walters Gardens for not only supplying us with great plants
but also the images found on this page.