Discovering the Beauty of Hellebores

Hellebores are commonly known as Lenten Rose or Christmas Rose, despite being no relation to the rose family. They are from the Ranunculaceae family, and are mainly native to the Balkans, with a few from Asia.

My first Hellebores

The first hellebores I ever grew, were at our old garden. Helleborus ‘argutifolius’, these originate from Corsica and Sardinia.

They are commonly known as holly-leaved hellebore, because of their prickly leaves. Each leaf has three spiny-toothed leaflets, and take it from me they do scratch! The flowers are green, and shall we say, they’re not exactly a show stopper.

It’s obvious that I wasn’t impressed with them, as this is the only photo I cold find. It shows the leaves well enough, but obviously not flowering. And quite clearly, I was taking the cats, not the hellebore!

I have no idea where they came from, but I suspect they were a gift from another gardener. They are just the kind of thing gardeners give away. As a perennial they need regular dividing.

It’s accurate to say, that I was completely under whelmed with them, and didn’t think I’d be growing them again!

Plant Research

When we moved here, and started our garden transformation. It soon became apparent that all down the right hand side of the garden, it would be at least partially shaded.

Through the winter months I started to research shade tolerant plants.

Guess what I discovered? Hellebores with the most stunning flowers!

Simply dozens of wonderful varieties to pick from.

My Hellebores

I now have four different varieties – at the moment…. You can always squeeze a few more plants in!

Helleborus Nigra White, which bears large, pure white flat-faced flowers.

Helleborus orientalis ‘White Spotted Lady’. A white background with a large purple speckled splash working out from the centre.

Helleborus x hybridus clematis flowered pink – A double pink.

Helleborus x hybridus single purple.

Caring for your Hellebores

To get the full impact of the flowers, when they appear in the new year. It’s best to cut down last years foliage around November. Or whenever you remember! It’s hard to remember winter jobs, as you’re just not out there! It is important though, as it stops any diseases overwintering.

Once the flowers have finished, it’s a good idea to trim them off, as some varieties seed profusely. This is something I’ve learned by default.

Hellebores getting established

The two white varieties, are down in the white garden. They look so bright together with the snowdrops at this time of year.

I was in two minds whether to keep the purple splashed one. I have said ‘no colour allowed’, in the white garden. So far it has not only survived but spread by seeding itself everywhere. Time will tell if it stays.

I love this Clematis flowered, double pink hellebore. It’s just so happy in the shade with the ferns. Such welcome colour in the depths of winter.

This single purple was the first one I bought, after discovering the joys of Hellebores. It’s moved a couple of times, but I’m pleased with it now set off by the Choisya ‘Sundance’ behind it.