How to Plant, Grow and Care for Hellebore

Prized for their abundant winter or early spring blooms and attractive foliage, Hellebores (Helleborus) are invaluable additions to the shade garden and provide gardeners with some of the greatest pleasures in winter. Ranked by some among the top 10 high-performance perennials, these harbingers of spring are tough, cold-hardy, deer and rabbit-resistant, and easy to grow. Most Hellebores feature evergreen foliage that remains handsome year-round and provides multiseason interest.

All you need to know about Hellebore

• Hellebore is a member of the buttercup family of flowering plants, Ranunculaceae, which also includes monkshood, delphinium, and anemone.
• 20 species inhabit Europe and Asia. Many species have been interbred, producing countless hybrids in a rich array of colors and forms.
• Hellebores are compact, slow-growing perennials, typically growing 12-24 in. tall (30-60 cm) and 12-48 in. wide (30-120 cm), depending on species. They will spread in the garden via self-seeding.
• The foliage is thick and evergreen (in all but the coldest regions), and forms a lush clump of lobed, umbrella-like, or palm-like leaves.
• Most Hellebores perform best in partial shade in fertile, humus-rich, neutral to alkaline soils that are moist but well-drained. Some will also grow in the sun, others in deep shade. A site sheltered from strong, cold winds is best.
• Easy to grow, Hellebore is a welcomed addition to shady borders, containers, under trees or large shrubs, and woodland gardens. Rather than let these charming beauties lonesomely bloom in a bare patch, give them companion plants and layer your plantings for maximum drama. Learn how to extend the season of interest of your borders.
• The flowers provide valuable nectar for early pollinators. Hellebore is not generally a plant that deer or other animals seek to eat, but if other food sources are scarce, they may come along and make a meal out of your Hellebore.
• Hellebore contains toxic chemicals. It is poisonous and toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and horses.
• Hellebore is not bothered by many pests or diseases. Keep an eye out for aphids, leaf spot, and leaf miner.

Most popular and easiest Hellebore species to grow

Helleborus argutifolius (Corsican Hellebore): a robust native of Corsica and Sardinia, this evergreen perennial produces large open clusters of up to thirty nodding, pale green flowers with a central boss of green stamens. Blooming heavily from late winter to early summer, these charming beauties are hardy in zones 6-9.

Helleborus foetidus (Stinking Hellebore): native to the mountainous regions of Central and Southern Europe, Greece, and Asia Minor, this evergreen perennial features large open clusters of cheerful chartreuse, bell-shaped flowers edged with dark red. Blooming profusely from late winter to mid-spring, this award-winner Hellebore, unjustly named Stinking Hellebore, is hardy in zones 5-9.

Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose): native to the mountains of southern and central Europe, Helleborus niger is a winter-blooming evergreen perennial with large, bowl-shaped, glistening white flowers, 3 in. across (8 cm), adorned with a crown of showy golden-yellow stamens. Unlike most hellebores, the flowers face outward attracting interest. Christmas Roses open around Christmas time in warm winter areas, and in early spring in cooler winter regions. Helleborus niger is also a very popular cut flower. Hardy in zones 3-8.

Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Roses): native to the dry climates of Greece and Turkey, this Hellebore blooms during Lent, hence the common name. It is claimed to be the most colorful and floriferous species in the genus. Mature plants often have 50 or more flowers per plant, which last up to 2 months! They are widely available today in a terrific range of sizes, leaf shapes, and flower forms (single semi-double, fully double, anemone) and colors (white through pink, purple to yellow, with or without picotee, spots, and freckles), giving Helleborus orientalis and its hybrids preeminent status among Hellebores. Hardy in zones 4-9.