How to grow hardy Hellebores … Hellebores are easy to grow and maintain. Considered by many to be the first harbinger of Spring. Hellebores are also known as Lenten Rose, Winter Rose, and Christmas Rose, however, they are not related to the rose family.
Tolerant of drought conditions once they are established in the garden. They prefer moist, well-draining rich, organic soil conditions. Many hellebores do well in full shade to part Sun and part shade gardens.
Plant Hellebores so that the crown is covered by soil. And avoid planting them too deeply. The Lenten Rose is resistant to disease, pests, and deer.
How to Grow Hardy Hellebores – Companions
Pair Hellebores with other shade loving perennials. These shade lovers such as Ferns, Hosta plants, Pulmonaria or Jerusalem-sage, and Campanula or bell flower work very well with the Lenten Rose.
We’ve rounded up a small selection of Hellebores that you give you an idea of the many varieties available. Take a look at these, and let us know what you think.
How to Grow Hardy Hellebores – Flower Girl Helleborus
Vanilla blushed, light pink to maroon tinted flowers. Flower Girl Helleborus has ruffled petals that surround a center of ivory stamens. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to mostly Sunny. Reaches 18 to 24 inches tall. White with pink blooms appear early to late Spring. Tolerates normal, acidic, or sandy soil conditions. Resistant to rabbits and deer. Tolerant of shade and dry shade conditions. Provides Winter interest to the garden. Another beauty developed by Hans Hansen.
Double pink blooms with a dark pink picotee edge. Peppermint Ice Hellebore has veins in varying shades of peppermint colors. And grows in zones 5 to 8 in full shade to part Sun and part shade. They reach between 12 to 14 inches tall with a spread of 20 to 24 inches. Peppermint Ice blooms in the late Winter to Spring. A cold hardy perennial resistant to pests, deer, and rabbits.
French Kiss Helleborus
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Colorful Spring Garden – French Kiss Helleborus
A single white flower with raspberry pink. French Kiss Helleborus has cup shaped blooms. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to part Sun and part shade. And blooms from mid Winter through mid Spring. Also, resistant to deer. Tolerant of drought conditions once established. Another beauty developed by Hans Hansen.
Bridesmaid Hellebores – How to Grow Hardy Hellebores
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Colorful Shade Gardens – Bridesmaid Hellebore
Double blooms with white with raspberry pink veining and picotee edge. Bridesmaid Hellebore grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to part Sun and part shade. Reaches 18 to 24 inches tall with a spread 20 to 24 inches wide. And blooms from late Winter through early Spring. Cold hardy perennial that is resistant to pests, deer, and rabbits.
2. Yellow with Accent Color Hellebore
Amber Gem Helleborus
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Colorful Shade Garden – Amber Gem Helleborus
Soft yellow ruffled blooms with red stenciling. Amber Gem Helleborus grows in zones 5 to 8 in full shade to mostly Sunny. Reaches 12 inches tall. Yellow with red blooms appear early through late Spring. Tolerates normal, acidic, or sandy soil conditions. Also, resistant to rabbits and deer. And tolerant of shade and dry shade conditions. Provides Winter interest to the garden.
First Dance Helleborus
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Colorful Winter Garden – First Dance Helleborus
Double bright yellow to yellow flowers with maroon picotee. First Dance Helleborus has showy blooms that are 3 to 3.5 inches wide. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to part Sun and part shade. Reaches 18 to 24 inches tall and wide. Blooms in the Winter and Spring. Cold hardy perennial that is resistant to deer and rabbits.
Tropical Sunset Lenten Rose
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How to Grow Hardy Hellebores – Tropical Sunset Lenten Rose
Blooms of lemony yellow shades with pink, white and red counterparts. An evergreen ground cover in warmer climates, the Tropical Sunset Lenten Rose has glossy green leathery leaves. Cupped golden-yellow flowers with red veining. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 18 to 24 inches tall and wide with blooms appearing from Winter through mid Spring.
3. Pink with Accent Color Hellebore
Maid of Honor How to Grow Hardy Hellebores
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How to Grow Hardy Hellebores – Maid of Honor Helleborus
Blooms are blush to light pink to dark pink double flowers. Maid of Honor Hellebore grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to part Sun and part shade. Reaches 18 to 24 inches tall and wide with blooms in the Spring. Cold hardy perennial that is resistant to deer, and rabbits. Pairs well with Astilbe and Heuchera (common name of Coral Bells).
Helleborus Paris in Pink
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How to Grow Hardy Hellebores – Paris in Pink Helleborus
Pink and white blooms on arching stems. The Helleborus Paris in Pink brightens any shady garden. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to mostly Sunny. Reaches 18 to 24 inches tall with blooms appearing from early through late Spring. Tolerant of normal, acidic, and sandy soil conditions. An evergreen perennial that is both deer and rabbit resistant. Another gorgeous Helleborus developed by Hans Hansen.
A native of Majorca, Spain, the Majorca Lenten Rose has grayish-green leaves. Grows in zones 7b to 10b in full shade to part Sun and part shade. Reaches 20 inches tall with blooms appearing in early March with clusters of light green flowers.
Phoenix Hellebores – How to Grow Hardy Hellebores
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How to Grow Hardy Hellebores – Phoenix Hellebore
A single bloom flower of apple green edged with rose red. Phoenix Hellebore grows in zones 5 to 9 in full shade to part Sun and part shade. Reaches 18 to 24 inches tall and wide. Blooms in the Winter and Spring. Cold hardy perennial that is resistant to deer and rabbits. Plant in groups with ferns and Bleeding Hearts.
Ivory Prince Hellebores – How to Grow Hardy Hellebores
Green tinted ivory flower petals that age to a rose. Ivory Prince Hellebore has burgundy pink buds that open in late Winter. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in full shade to part Sun and part shade. Reaches 22 to 26 inches tall and wide with blooms appearing in the Winter and Spring. Cold hardy perennial that is resistant to deer and rabbits.
Foliage is dark evergreen in color. The Dark and Handsome Helleborus has double blooms of dark purple almost black in color. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 18 to 24 inches tall and wide with dark purple blooms in early through late Spring. Foliage is dark green and medium green. Resistant to deer and rabbits. Drought tolerant once established. Provides Winter interest to the garden and tolerates dry shade gardens.
True Love Helleborus
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How to Grow Hardy Hellebores – True Love Helleborus
Blooms are shades of rich wine colors outlined with darker margins and glowing golden centers. True Love Helleborus has double flowered blooms. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to mostly Sunny. Reaches 18 to 24 inches tall with burgundy blooms appearing from early through late Spring. Tolerates normal, acidic, or sandy soil conditions. Resistant to rabbits and deer. Tolerant of shade and dry shade conditions. Provides Winter interest to the garden. Another beautiful Helleborus developed by Hans Hansen.
Sweetheart Ruffles Lenten Rose
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How to Grow Hardy Hellebores – Sweetheart Ruffles Lenten Rose
This Lenten Rose has deep velvety burgundy petals in deep red to burgundy. Sweetheart Ruffles Lenten Rose is drought tolerant once it has been established. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 18 to 20 inches tall with a spread of 18 to 24 inches wide. Blooms appear from Winter through mid Spring. Both resistant to deer and rabbits. An evergreen perennial that can be planted as a ground cover in a shady garden.
There are many Hellebores to choose from. And in many different colors. The selection above is a small sampling of the many Hellebores available. Be sure to check with your local garden center for additional Hellebore plant selections.
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