(Credit: Pixabay)

The hellebores are a group of low-maintenance, evergreen landscape perennials. They provide long-lasting, "critter resistant" color in shady areas during late winter and early spring when few other plants are blooming.

The genus Helleborus consists of approximately 20 species of perennial flowering plants in the Ranunculaceae (or Buttercup) plant family. Despite common names such as winter rose, Christmas rose, and Lenten rose, hellebores are not closely related to members of the rose (Rosaceae) plant family.

Although several common names for hellebores include the word “rose,” they are not closely related to members of the rose family of plants. (credit: Pixabay)

The name "hellebore" was first mentioned in the 1400th century. It originates from the Ancient Greek word "ἑλλέβορος," which was later Romanized to helléboros. Literally translated, Helleborus means "plant eaten by fawns." It is not related to the word "hell," despite the toxic nature of hellebores.

Hellebores flower right along with daffodils and tulips making them among the earliest perennials to bloom. Flowers are borne for six to eight weeks after which they dry in place on the stems.

The showy part of a hellebore flower, what normally would be the petals, are not petals at all. Instead, they are sepals which serve to protect the developing reproductive structures of the flower. The real petals are inside the sepals and have developed into tubular structures called nectaries. Hellebores can flower anywhere from January to April depending on the species and latitude.

The “showy” parts of hellebore flowers are their sepals which serve to protect the reproductive structures they encase. (credit: Pixabay)

Hellebores are divided into two groups, those with stems (caulescent) and those without stems (acaulescent). Most of the plants found for sale in greenhouses and nurseries today are the acaulescent types, most notably Helleborus x hybridus and several newer hybrids.

These plants have flowers that emerge from the soil in late winter or early spring and provide a floral display for about eight weeks. Even after the foliage emerges the sepals retain much of their color and remain showy until finally bending to the ground in June. Most acaulescent types including Helleborus x hybridus, mature around 12" tall and have dark green leathery leaves.

All parts of hellebore plants contain toxic alkaloids and should be handled with care. (credit: Wikipedia)

The foliage of hellebores is evergreen, though it begins to brown in late winter. The previous season's foliage of acaulescent types should be removed just as the flowers begin to emerge from the crown of the plant. During the winter, the leaves act to protect the flower buds, preventing them from opening too early and being damaged by cold temperatures.

All parts of the hellebores contain toxic alkaloids making them poisonous. Their toxic nature helps make them deer and rabbit resistant. Though human poisoning is rare today, the plant was used in ancient times to poison people. For example, it was used by the tyrant Cleisthenes of Sicyonin in the First Sacred War (595-585 BC) to poison the water supply of the Greek city of Kirrha.

As garden plants, hellebores are shade-loving plants that need a maximum of six hours of sunlight per day to thrive. They prefer morning sun rather than the scorching rays of the afternoon.

Once they are well-established, hellebores can handle dry shade quite well. However, for the first year when they are planted the soil should be kept moist but not wet.

In nature, hellebores are woodland plants. Therefore, they will grow best in humus-rich, loose soil that is well-drained. For those who garden in clay soil, hellebores should be planted in amended soil in a higher part of your garden where water does not pool. Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil pH is preferred.

Most of the hellebores found at retail outlets are Helleborus orientalis hybrids, which are winter hardy in zones 4-9. The earlier-blooming Christmas rose (Helleborus niger hybrids) are hardy in zones 3-8. The hellebores are super hardy plants that tolerate cold and snow very well.

Hellebores are best planted when the weather is cool, as they are actively growing at that time. Spring or fall will suffice, and if you live where winters are relatively mild, they can even be planted in winter.

Hellebores are the opposite of other perennials in that they put on a significant amount of their growth when it is cold outside, especially in fall and spring. Consequently, they should be fertilized with slow-release plant food formulated for perennials at this time instead of in the summer.

For aesthetic reasons, gardeners might want to prune away last year's tattered foliage sometime before the new flowers emerge in spring. Remove the entire leaf and stem, trimming them to ground level to make room for the new flowers and foliage that will emerge from the center of the plant in spring. When working with the hellebores it is a good idea to wear gloves, since the toxic alkaloids mentioned above can cause contact dermatitis.

Hellebores might not flower their first year in the garden. The cause could be that the plants are too young to produce flowers, or they may have bloomed already before being purchased. Either way, hellebores should flower beautifully the following year after they are planted, if cared for properly. Depending on the type of hellebore planted and the hardiness zone in which they are growing, hellebores could bloom anytime from early winter through late spring.

Hellebores need to experience freezing temperatures for about eight weeks in winter to be able to actively grow and bloom the following year, which is why they are not recommended for very warm climates.

There are dozens of Helleborus cultivars available in commerce. However, the following are several that have a special "wow" factor associated with them.

• Wedding Party® 'First Dance' – This double-flowered, soft yellow hellebore blooms on stately upright plants with outward-facing blossoms. The flowers age from soft yellow to bright chartreuse and persist for most of the summer.
  
  

  (Credit: Proven Winners)

• 'Dark and Handsome Double' – Specially bred to be vigorous and floriferous, this striking hybrid is tops for yielding loads of lush flowers. Arriving in the early days of spring, its deep maroon-black blossoms glistening with new-fallen snow provide a startling contrast to shaded green spaces.
  
  

  (Credit: Missouri Botanical Gardens)

• Honeymoon® 'Rome in Red' – If a top prize would be awarded for the most robust hellebore, this stunning cultivar would be a top contender. Incredibly vigorous, it quickly sizes up to form a full, thick canopy of refined umbrella-shaped, evergreen foliage. It bears rich maroon to wine-red flowers every year in mid-spring.
• 'Confetti Cake Double' – Wedding-white blooms with burgundy sprinkles cause this cultivar to dazzle in shade. It brings unexpected cheer to the winter garden with its large 2½-3″ double flowers that resemble delicate pastry confections. The pristine white sepals feature a dramatic spattering of burgundy specks that intensify near the center, creating visual depth and charm.

Acknowledgement: Adapted from an article by the National Garden Bureau