Hellebores are wonderful, reliable stars of the winter garden, and they just keep getting better, both as long-lived plants and as breeders introduce new varieties. Originally from Eurasia, they are in the buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family along with columbines. Hellebores (Helleborus spp.) are most commonly called either Christmas Roses (H. niger) or Lenten Roses (H. orientalis/hybridus), because those species bloom near those Christian holidays with flowers mimicking single roses. H. niger flowers are usually white, face downward, and look wonderful in a raised container or on a slope, while new H. orientalis and hybrids raise their flowers outward in shades from amber to purple black with speckles, dark eyes, and veined foliage. Corsican hellebore (H. argutifolius) has distinctively toothed palmate foliage and pale chartreuse flowers. These easy-care perennials prefer light to dappled shade. Their hardiness ranges from USDA zones 5-9. Foliage is usually evergreen. Many are toxic to animals.
H. niger flowers are usually white, face downward, and look wonderful in a raised container or on a slope, while new H. orientalis and hybrids raise their flowers outward in shades from amber to purple black with speckles, dark eyes, and veined foliage. Corsican hellebore (H. argutifolius) has distinctively toothed palmate foliage and pale chartreuse flowers. These easy-care perennials prefer light to dappled shade. Their hardiness ranges from USDA zones 5-9. Foliage is usually evergreen. Many are toxic to animals.
Planting Hellebores
Choose a partial- to full-shade location ideally with moist, loamy soil and a pH from 5.5 to 6.5. Some exceptions: They can handle dry shade under deciduous trees with enough winter sun but will need extra watering getting established. If your soil is clay and more moisture-retentive it may allow plants to tolerate more sun. Christmas rose, H. niger, prefers more alkaline soil and may benefit with the addition of garden lime. Plant the crown at the same level as in its nursery pot. Hellebores increase slowly, creating an impressive root system and resent moving. If you wish to divide or move them, do so with care, in late winter/early spring.
Watering Hellebores
While hellebores can be drought tolerant once established, it’s important to water consistently during the first two growing seasons to enable strong root development. In general, water heavily during spring and summer, cutting back in fall to prepare for winter dormancy. A good rule is to wet the soil at least one inch deep, at least once a week, more when it is very hot or dry. Potted hellebores will need watering more often than plants in-ground.
Fertilizing Hellebores
Fertilize lightly with balanced or slow-release fertilizer or side-dress with compost and organic amendments. The best time to do this is in spring when new growth appears. If your soil test shows a pH under 7.0, add dolomitic lime for H. x hybridus. If a soil test shows your soil lacks magnesium, H. niger may also benefit from dolomitic lime.
Pruning Hellebores
Hellebores need almost no pruning. Deadhead for neatness and if self-sowing is not desired. Remove older brown leaves in late winter/early spring to make room for new growth. Hellebores rarely need division, and don’t care for it much. If you wish to divide or move them, do so with care, in late winter/early spring.
Caring For Hellebores in Pots
Choose a pot with at least six inches of depth to allow for root development, and an appropriate width for your mature plant. Look for one that will not become overly hot, as roots dislike intense heat. Fill with a well-draining, high-quality soil mix and place in partial- to full shade. In general, water heavily during spring and summer, cutting back in fall to prepare for winter dormancy. A good rule is to wet the soil at least one inch deep, at least once a week, more when it is very hot or dry. Potted hellebores will need watering more often than plants in-ground. Mulching is recommended to keep the roots cool.
Winter Care for Hellebores
In fall, water less often, and apply aged manure and/or compost. Wait to clean up old leaves until late winter. If you want to encourage seedlings to sprout, or you are in a colder edge of hellebore’s hardiness zones, mulch heavily. Go around the crown without burying it. Remove older brown leaves in late winter/early spring to make room for new growth. This is also the time to carefully divide or transplant hellebores, although they may not like it, so keep the roots covered and watered throughout the process.
Common Hellebore Care Questions
When To Divide Hellebores?
Dividing Hellebores is best done in the fall, but can also be done in the spring, as soon as they are done flowering for the season.
Do Hellebores Spread?
The evergreen hellebores or Lenten roses (they're not really roses at all, but belong to the buttercup family) do spread, but not quickly or aggressively, through an extensive root system. If you plant more than one variety closely together, they can even result in a new hybrid!
Do Hellebores Need Sun Or Shade?
Hellebores do best in partial shade, although they can tolerate nearly full sun or nearly total shade, as well. In more than just partial shade, flowering will be greatly reduced.
Are Hellebores Invasive?
Hellebores spread slowly by rhizomes, and are not considered an invasive species.
Hellebore Annual Or Perennial?
Hellebores are perennials, coming back year after year.
Are Hellebores Drought Tolerant?
Once they are well established, hellebores are drought tolerant, but they prefer and do better in, consistently moist soil that is well-draining.
Why Does Hellebore Leaves Turn Yellow?
Most often, yellowed leaves on hellebore are caused by improper watering. They prefer consistently moist (not wet, or dry) soil. Although, once they're established, they can tolerate periods of dry soil better than wet.
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Author Erica Browne Grivas - Published 06-18-2021 |