Winter Bloom
Growing Hellebores
Hellebores love the shade, even though they chose to bloom early in spring, before the trees leaf out, to reap the benefits of full sun exposure.
These charming perennials prefer alkaline soils and thrive in dry shade. Once established, they require minimal maintenance, but like every plant, they won't mind regular watering and a good side dressing of fertilizer at the beginning of the season.
The clumps keep their dense, glossy foliage throughout the winter, but as spring draws near, it becomes depleted; the plant then produces new leaves, allowing the old ones to sprawl on the ground and die.
Trim the faded foliage once the young growth forms a full clump, to keep the plants healthy and compact.
Hellebores are eager propagators and will crowd each other if left unchecked: either transplant their abundant seedlings or remove them.
Don't feel bad about it. You can expect a fresh, probably larger batch the following spring.
To successfully relocate plants, do so when they are small and have only a few stems. Mature clumps don't respond well to transplanting because they don't like their roots disturbed. This is not a perennial that thrives when divided.
Early and Late Varieties
Hellebores have so many hybrids I won't go into detail about the most popular ones, however, they comprise broad categories which bloom at various times in winter and early spring.
The first, Helleborus niger, starts its season at the end of December, earning it the nickname Christmas Rose.
Its botanical name, which means black hellebore, is a little confusing, because its flowers are pure white and its foliage bright green. The roots are the ones that are black.
The next bloom comes at the end of January, with the small, light green flowers of the stinking hellebore, Helleborus foetidus, so named because the plant releases a pungent smell when its foliage is cut or crushed.
The Lenten Rose, Helleborus hybridus, starts in February and goes well into the summer, making it the latest and most impressive bloomer.
This category includes many popular varieties such as Anna's Red, Painted Lady, Ivory Prince, or New York Night.
Like other perennials which boast great variety, hellebores have inspired a following, and they have their own appreciation society.
Long Bloom
A notable quality of hellebores is their remarkably long blooming season, which begins in January and continues through August.
Unlike other plants, whose flowers fade and become unattractive once they set fruit, hellebores remain beautiful after their pretty yellow centers are replaced by seed heads.