Why Hellebores?
Seasoned gardeners revere Hellebore for their long bloom time, reliability, and tolerance of a wide variety of light and soil conditions. The plants are surprisingly frost-resistant and some are even evergreen depending on your winter weather. And as a bonus, they are pretty much left alone by wildlife. The leaves tend to be leathery with some having spines or cut edges. Some species have stemless flowers and leaves, both arising straight from the ground.
This perennial often is just called “hellebore” from its genus name (Helleborus) and is not a rose at all. It gets this name from the fact the flowers somewhat resemble a small single rose, and it blooms in the north in early spring—the Lent religious season. There have been many improved selections introduced in recent years, and it was named the Perennial Plant of the Year for 2005 by the Perennial Plant Association
Some of the earlier varieties have inconspicuous flowers, what we think are petals actually the sepals with most being white, cream and pink. But with all the hybridizing of this genus – your choices of color and number of petals have grown tremendously.For example, there are whites, pinks, burgundies, greens and black, there are spotted, speckled, ruffled and doubles galore. And below I will show you an amazing peach hellebore!
Many people think the Christmas rose and Lenten rose are the same – but they are actually 2 different species of the genus, blooming at two different times of the year. Orientalis or Lenten, and niger or Christmas.These two are the most common species grown, with H. foetidus or “stinking hellebore” a slightly less common species.
Helleborus orientalis
Helleborus niger
Helleborus foetiditus
A Bit of History
The use of hellebore dates back to 1400 BCE when it was used as a purgative to “cleanse the mind of all perverse habits”. It is found in writings through the ages, from the ancient Greeks through the Middle Ages, when it was used by herbalists.
Hellebore have been used for animal ailments, to bless animals and keep them from evil spirits. Other uses include to repel flies, to “purge the veins of melancholy, and cheer the heart”, or even in one superstition to make oneself invisible if scattered in the air!
Not sure using a purgative would cheer my heart – but one never knows!
The word Hellebore comes from the Greek words “elein” meaning to injure, and “bora” meaning food. Members of this genus are highly toxic, considered one of the four classic poisons, along with nightshade, hemlock, and aconite.
But how did the common names come about?
One of the legends as to how the Christmas Rose came to be is about a country girl named Madelon. Madelon is sad because she has nothing to give the Christ child she has come to visit in Bethlehem. The story goes that an angel sees her sadness and brings the girl outside and touches the ground. Where the angel touched the ground – a Helleborus arises and blooms – a gift to present to the baby Jesus. Thereby getting the name Christmas Rose.
The rose part is easy – the flowers somewhat resemble a single rose. Lenten came from the fact it blooms in the north in the early spring – the Lent religious season.
Care and Use
Hellebores are fairly easy to care for once established. They are a shade loving plant and can handle deep shade as well as dry soil (once established) which makes them an ideal perennial for planting under trees. Another advantage, when planting under trees, Hellebores don’t like to be planted deep. An annual topping of compost and trimming of old foliage at the end of winter is about all the care they need.
They also grow well on hillsides and slopes. Since they are low (12 to 18 inches high), and flowers are at or below the leaves, they are better appreciated if placed in raised beds, along walks, or on slopes. The flowers can also be cut and enjoyed inside.
Plants are slow to get established, but once they are, they seldom need division, If you do want to divide, or transplant them, September or October is best. Dig the whole plant, wash off soil, then divide with a sharp knife between growth buds. Leave at least 3 buds on each division.
When handling hellebores, keep in mind that all parts of the plant are toxic, poisoning is rare but it does occur. This is why deer and rabbits leave them alone. Poisoning can happen through ingestion or coming into contact with the sap. Skin irritation may occur when handling the plants, though I have planted several and haven’t had any problems at all.
If you want more information on other deer resistant plants, here is one on general plants and one on bulbs.
For more pictures and information on the history of hybridizing check out this article from Garden Design magazine How to grow Hellebores which includes a slide show of different varieties.
Some of my favorite hybrids from Walters Garden
All pictures used with permission from Walters Garden
Helleborus 'Sandy Shores'
Helleborus 'Ivory Prince'
Helleborus 'Blushing Bride'
Helleborus 'Tropical Sunset'
Intrigued?
What to see more? learn more? Below are some links to more Hellebore plants and some books to explore the history and cultivation of these wonderful perennials.
