Hellebore Hybrids
Helleborus x hybridus is a group of evergreen, late-winter or early-spring flowering perennials in the buttercup family. You may know them by their common names. The Christmas rose or the Lenten rose.
They’re one of the first flowers to bloom in my garden in the early Spring.
Helleborus is a small genus of roughly 20 or so species of herbaceous perennials native to Europe and Asia. They prefer well drained soil. Best of all, hellebores love shade.
There are still a few blooming in my garden so I thought it would be fun to dissect a flower to show you all the different parts. You can check out the video below.
I wrote an article about how these awesome plants being the superheros of the Shade garden if you want to read more.
Propagating Plants from Seed
Seeds will germinate in the fall or winter. Use fresh seed for the best results.
Sow them on the surface of a moist, well-drained potting mix. Cover the seeds with a light layer of soil and tamp gently. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Place the pot in a cold frame, greenhouse, or bright, cool window.
I’ve had great success just letting seeds fall to the ground in autumn once the seed is ripe. If you check under existing plants, you are likely to find baby plants.
Helpful Planting Tips
1. Hellebores like shade and moist, well-drained soil.
2. They can be planted in the fall or spring.
3. Space plants 12-18 inches apart.
4. Dig a hole twice the size of the pot the hellebore is in and place the plant in the hole so the top of the soil is level with the surrounding ground.
5. Fill in the hole with soil and water well.
Hellebore Flower Parts Diagram
My Favorite Varieties for the Garden
There are so many different types of hellebores, it can be hard to choose a favorite. But, if we had to narrow it down, we would choose the Christmas rose (Helleborus niger), Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis), and Japanese hellebore (Helleborus foetidus).
The Christmas rose is one of the first plants to bloom in the winter, and its cheerful blooms are a welcome sight in the garden. The Lenten rose is a beautiful plant that blooms in late winter or early spring, and its flowers are a lovely deep pink. The Japanese hellebore is a unique plant that blooms in the spring, and its flowers are a lovely shade of green.
All of these plants are wonderful additions to any garden, and they are sure to bring cheer to everyone who sees them.
1. Christmas Carol has deep glossy green leaves with white flowers that have a yellow center. This plant will light up any shady corner of your garden.
2. Harvington Pink Speckled has clear pink flowers speckled with purplish-red. This is a gorgeous plant.
3. Winter Moonbeam has incredible foliage with dark green leaves with silver-colored veins. This plant is stunning.
4. Ivory Prince is a showy hellebore that blooms in shades of white and pink. It is perfect for adding color to your garden during the winter months.
5. Madame Lemonnier is a gorgeous plant with maroon flowers and a yellow center.
