Skip to Content

Growing Hellebores – Lenten Rose – How to Grow Helleborus

If you like the idea of a plant that flowers in winter while there is still snow on the ground, try Growing Hellebores.

Lenten Rose is another name for helleborus. The blooms come in lots of different shades and shapes.

I first heard of Hellebores perennial several years ago when I spent a season trying to grow some uncommon plants from seed.

I didn’t have any luck with the seeds, but the idea of a flowering plant blooming in my garden where there is still snow on the ground stuck in my mind.
If you like the idea of a plant that flowers in winter when snow is still on the ground, try growing helleborus - also known as Lenten Rose

It is not often that Mother Nature delights us with flowers in the winter. Florist cyclamen, and frosty ferns are other plants that chooses the cold weather when deciding the time for their showy displays. See my post on caring for cyclamen here.

Both of these plants are often used as Christmas plants for decorating. It’s a lovely site to have something in bloom when it’s cold outside!

The botanical name of this lovely perennial is Helleborus. Lenten Rose is a common name and it’s also known by the name Christmas rose, because of the blooming time. 

Growing Hellebores Perennial – an ever green flowering plant.Tips for growing hellebores

Imagine my delight, a few years ago, while browsing the garden center of Lowe’s, in very early spring, to find rows and rows of Monrovia Hellebores.  I shrieked! I danced!  

I grabbed one and bought it, in spite of the hefty price tag, close to $20.  I was determined to get that baby into the ground in my shady side border.Monrovia Helleborus Winter Moonbeam - Moonbeam hybrid Christmas rose

Helleborus (pronounced hel-eh-bor’us) is a popular garden plant with those who are longing for spring flowers long before the winter season is over.  They are frost resistant and evergreen too, so they have interest year round.

I was happy with my single plant for two years. But last year, all that changed.  

My husband was working part time for a landscaping friend of his and one of their jobs was some work in the garden of a lady who obviously loved Helleborus as much as I do.  

Her garden was over run with them and she graciously allowed my sweet husband to dig some up and bring them home to me.  

You should have seen his face the day he rolled up with about a dozen Lenten Rose plants in the back of his truck…all with different colored flowers and leaf formation as a surprise for me!  

He was a very popular guy in our house that day, I can tell you!

I love the way that Hellebores grow.   They have multi leaved stems of flowers that lay down nicely under the center of the plant where the bloom spikes start to grow up.  

Some have low laying bloom clusters and make for a nice compact plant.Helleborus Cinnamon snow

Others have more spikes to the leaf cluster and have a higher spray of flowers that sit in a big clump quite a bit above the center of the plant.Helleborus foetidus `Fine Feathered Friend

Hellebores Flower Colors

Flower colors of Lenten Rose vary widely.   The varieties that I have in my garden now range from mauve, to purple and white, light green, medium green, pale pink and pure white.

There are even some blooms that are so dark that they look like black plants.

The petals of the flowers vary too. Some are quite cupped shape and others spread wide open to reveal the center of the plant.Helleborus flowers come in many colors

I have dozens of hellebores in my garden now.  This dish of petals shows the range that I have acquired so far.

dish of helleborus flowers - Helleborus-Lenten Rose

Leaf shapes vary a lot too, fine very fine solid green, to really plump leaves with a burgundy tinge to them.Helleborus leaves

Tips for Growing Hellebores:

While it is easy to grow hellebores as long as you are careful of sunlight, the plants also have particular moisture and soil needs.

Soil needs for hellebores

Be sure to plant Lenten rose in well draining, organic soil.  Most Hellebores do not like to have wet feet. The plant prefers neutral PH to slightly limy soils. 

They will grow best if you make sure to dig deep into the soil at planting time, and add plenty of organic matter such as leaf mold, compost, or old manure.

Moisture Requirements

These plants are somewhat drought resistant so only need light watering once established. Great for those who don’t have time to spend on watering plants on a schedule.

Light needs for Lenten Rose

Helleborus is definitely one plant that does better without a lot of sunlight. It is very much at home under the shade of trees and loves this type of environment. 

Choose a location with filtered light sun or shade. I have mine in both, but the ones in my shady border perform the best.Christmas rose is also known as Helleborus.

Hellebores are right at home in a woodland garden. That being said they will tolerate almost full sun to almost full shade but prefer partial shade. 

When does Lenten rose flower?

Helleborus perennial flowers in late winter to very early spring. Here in NC, my plants have been flowering since January.  

I currently have dozens of plants in bloom. It’s not uncommon to see the blooms of hellebores when there is still snow on the ground!

The flowers are very long lasting and also make great cut flowers for indoors.

For other very early spring bloomers, see this post.Hellebores flowers

Fertilizing needs for Helleborus perennial

Be careful when you fertilize.  If you choose a fertilizer with too much nitrogen in the formula, you will end up with lots of lush leaves but now so many flowers.

Bonemeal fertilizer in the fall is recommended. The plant will benefit from additions of organic matter such as compost at planting time and again yearly.

Growing Hellebores from seed

To grow Hellebores  from seed, a 60 day chilling period is needed. A soilless seed starting mix works best.

So, either keep the seeds in the fridge for that time before trying to plant, or else, plant outdoors in the fall where the cold period will happen naturally.  Helleborus self seeds easily

Seedlings may not end up true to parent, and may need to be thinned out. While growing helleborus as an adult plant is usually problem-free, growing plants from seeds can be tricky and it’s often easier to buy established plants.

Propagating helleborus

One of the beauties of this plant is that it self seeds readily, so one plant is likely to become many in a few years. 

The flowers of existing will produce large amounts of seeds which can drop and will produce lots of seedlings in years to come. The seedlings may vary from the parent.

Overgrown clumps of Hellebores can be divided in early spring or in the fall for more plants for free.

Lenten Rose Maintenance

Like any plant, hellebores can look pretty tattered after a hard winter.  Old foliage can safely be removed in early spring after frost ends to tidy up the plants.

The leaves will especially get ratty looking, even when the flowers are still growing strong. See my tips for pruning hellebores here.

Dead heading is not needed:  Hellebores flower petals continue throughout the summer and are quite ornamental. They do lose a lot of their color as the weather heats up. 

How large does Lenten Rose get?

Helleborus perennial plants can grow from 1 to 4 ft high and about 18 inches to 3 feet wide.  The largest one that I have in my garden right now is about 18 inches tall and 2 feet wide.

Be sure to give room around the plant at planting time because of the self seeding nature of the perennial.Hellebores-also known as Lenten Rose - Helleborus viridis (Green Lenten Rose)

More Care tips for Growing Hellebores

To get the most out of your helleborus plant, these extra tips  for pests, companion plants and cold hardiness will be helpful. 

Pests that like Hellebores

Slugs and snails are attracted to Hellebores. These can be controlled with baits, or Diatomaceous earth.

You can also surround the plants with eggshells which will deter snails and slugs from coming hear the plant because of their sharpness.

Aphids are attracted to the foliage of hellebores. Be sure to check the leaves for fungus. Hellebores are often infected by botrytis, a virus that likes cool and damp conditions.  It shows itself as a grey mold covering the plant.

Companion Plants for Lenten Rose

Hellebores love to be planted near other shade loving plants.  I have mine in garden beds with several varieties of hostas, (Check out Autumn Frost Hosta and Hosta Minuteman for variegated varieties that look lovely with hellebores)Companion plants for hellebores are those that like shady garden spots

Ferns, coral bells, astilbe and bleeding hearts also like shady spots and will do well sharing a garden spot with helleborus.

Other choices are foxgloves, crocus. cyclamen and wild ginger.  Caladium, and elephant ears are good choices, as well.

How cold hardy is a helleborus perennial?

Hellebores will over winter in zone 4-9.  For winters that are quite harsh, mulching with composted leaf mulch, hay or straw prior to winter will protect it from the cold temperatures and strong wind of the winter months.

Normally, I don’t suggest buying plants when they are in flower, but hellebores have very long lasting flowers and a good way to see what color they will be is to buy them during this time.

Shop for Hellebores is in February and March because the selection is largest and the plants are in flower so you can see what the color will be. 

Be sure to check out my list of other cold hardy perennial plants here.

Is Lenten rose toxic?

All parts of Hellebores have poisonous characteristics. The plant is toxic if eaten in large quantities.  Minor, and more major, skin irritation is also a possibility.  

Hellebores contain protoanemonin in varying amounts depending on the species that you are growing. The roots of all Helleborus plants are strongly emetic and can cause vomiting. Roots can also be potentially fatal. 

Both animals and humans are affected by this toxic nature. Hellebores are said to have a burning taste. Take care in gardens where pets and children are nearby. This page from Cornel University talks more in depth about the poisonous aspect of Helleborus.

Another very toxic plant often grown in gardens, is brugmansia – also known as Angel’s trumpets.  Read about brugmansia here.

Varieties of Hellebores

From my research online, I have earned that there are 17 known species of Helleborus.  From my experience at Big Box stores, the most commonly seen one is the Helleborus x hybridus ‘Red Lady’ from Monrovia.

The variety in colors and shapes of the petals is large, so it’s worth searching out some of the less common types.  Here are a few helleborus varieties to try. 

  • Helleborus – Ivory Prince – pale pink leaves with green centers and smooth edges.
  • Helleborus – Pink Frost – White pink and rose toned flowers.
  • Helleborus – Honeymoon French Kiss – Purple and pink colors on white.
  • Helleborus – Ruby Wine – Burgundy flowers with yellow centers.

One of my readers has informed me that there are 20 species and lots of hybrids.  Thanks for this info which I have added to my post.

Interested in learning more about Lenten Rose?

If you are interested in trying your hand at growing a Helleborus perennial, this book from Amazon, Hellebores – A Comprehensive Guide, by C. Colston Burrell is a useful one. (affiliate link)

It is jam packed with up-to-the-minute, comprehensive information on growing, maintenance, design, hybridization and selection, and trouble-shooting of this wonderful plant.helleborus-book

In spite of the slightly hefty price tag, this stunning Helleborus perennial is worth searching out.  They are very forgiving plants that need little care and will bloom in late winter and early spring year after year.

Would you like a reminder of this post for growing helleborus?  Just pin this image to one of your gardening boards on Pinterest.Tips for growing hellebores - also known as Lenten Rose, or Christmas Rose

Admin Note: This post for growing helleborus first appeared on the blog in March of 2016.  I have updated the post to include a printable growing tips card, more information and a video for you to enjoy.

Yield: Great for winter color

Growing Helleborus - Lenten Rose - How to Grow Hellebores

Helleborus perennial

Helleborus is a perennial that flowers in the winter, sometimes even when the snow is still on the ground.

Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Difficulty moderate
Estimated Cost $20

Materials

Hellebore plant

  • Organic matter

Tools

  • Spade
  • Watering can or hose

Instructions

  • Soil
  • Moisture
  • Light
  • Flowering time.
  • Fertilizing
  • Propagation
  • Maintenance
  • Old Blooms.
  • Plant size.
  • Pests
  • Companion plants.
  • Winter care.
  • Difficulty
  • Hardiness
  • Toxicity.

Notes

Print out this plant care card as a reminder of how to take care of hellebores.

Share on Social Media

INNA STAVITSKY

Monday 16th of December 2019

I am going to get Helleborus first time. When is the right time to plant it? Thank you, Inna

Carol Speake

Thursday 19th of December 2019

If your ground is not frozen, you can plant them in winter, but in most places, late summer or fall is a good time to plant.

Judy Flowers

Saturday 20th of July 2019

I do not know what variety of Hellebore that I have but someone gave it to me when we moved to our present home 6 yrs ago. It has bloomed every year, however this year it has produced many more flowers and for a long time. I am not able to bend down to pick any blooms to show, however there are 2 or 3 flowers that have developed an odd center. it almost resembles a half of a walnut shell and is hard. The rest are normal with regular stamens. I've never seen anything like it and actually its the middle of summer here in PA and there are still flowers on it although not in the best of shape. I'd like to know if anyone else has ever seen that hard center before. Thank you

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission from the sale, but the price is the same for you. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Skip to Instructions