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My backbone plants that I depend upon for both foliage and flower during winter months are hellebores. There are many species, and an abundance of hybrids, that perform reliably in our area gardens. Weather dependant, you can have a hellebore in bud, or bloom from mid-December through late April and into mid-May. Most will be in full bloom from the later part of February through mid-April.
Many of the species and hybrids are reliably evergreen in foliage, while a few are deciduous. They are relatively slow-growing, taking up to four years from germination of seed to the first appearance of a bloom. A mature clump in full bloom is a sight to behold. Five to six years after transplanting to the garden, hundreds of 1 ½ to 2 ½ inch flowers are not only possible but probable.
The greater majority of Helleborus species and hybrids are reliably hardy in this area. Hellebores are native to the very rugged terrain of old Yugoslavia. The full range is from Slovenia to Macedonia. Exactly how many species of hellebores exist is unknown. There is much disagreement among the botanists. Probably one of the largest elements of confusion in the species identification is the ability of plants to cross pollinate in the wild as well as the garden. There is also a wide range of forms within many individual species, further adding to the confusion.
 Pink hellebore |
Helleborus x hybridus, also knows as H. orientalis hybrids, are commonly called Lenten roses, and the most well known of the hellebores. My first Lenten rose was purchased over a dozen years ago. The color of the bloom was rose-burgundy, and seeking a different color was not an option. One was simply happy to have found a hellebore. |
| Over the past few years interest has increased dramatically in hellebores, and this hybrid section in particular, here in the U.S. Many breeders have named strains of mixed bloom colors. Larger flowers, clearer and brighter colors, up-facing flowers, spotting and other desirable features are being bred into the strains. But, all were mixed colors of bloom, however wonderful the overall performance and appearance of the plant. |  Spotted white hellebore |
Most Helleborus x garden hybrids available today remain mixed colors of blooms within the named strains. Helleborus are such slow growers that few nurseries can take the time to sell divisions of a prized plant with a desirable color. Since hellebores hybridize so freely, seed grown plants will not "come true". Tissue culture is still on the somewhat distant horizon for hellebores.
Today breeders have developed specific color strains. There are now named strains such as 'White Lady', 'Blue Lady', 'Sparkling Red Eyes', or 'smoky blue/slate grays'. The color strains are achieved by hand pollinating and protecting specific parent plants, and the resulting seeds are collected. Still not 100%, but nudging as close to a specific color as one can get without division or tissue culture.
 Double purple hellebore |
The very latest on the scene are anemone and double flowering forms of bloom. Some breeders are going for specific color and the double forms, such as a double red flowering plant. It all just keeps on getting better and better for collectors of garden worthy hellebores. |
Do give them some compost, plenty of light without full sun (part shade to open shade), and mulch for consistent moisture. These hybrids are usually rated as hardy from zone 5 through 8. While they will perform in the northern part of those zone ratings, they look best if given some protection from prevailing winter winds. Bloom period begins in my garden around mid-February and comes into full bloom during March, lasting well into late April.
Helleborus niger, or the Christmas rose, is probably the best known species of hellebore. Bloom period in my garden is from around mid-February through March and lasting well into April. Christmas rose sounds romantic, but is not an accurate description of the flower period. Winter rose or snow rose, would perhaps be better names for this species. H. niger begins to bloom in my garden from mid-January if the weather is just right. However, the first part of February, lasting well into late march best describes the bloom period. Hardiness rating is zone 4 through 8. I find it to be a bit slower to form clumps of bloom than H. x hybridus.
Some gardeners have problems establishing this species in their garden. H. niger will not perform well in poor soil, or dry and hot locations. That being said, it is not a finicky plant. Simply give it some compost, keep mulched, and transplant to a location beneath a small tree or shrub, perhaps with a northern or eastern exposure. Check the pH of your soil. H. nige can not tolerate acidic soil.
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Helleborus foetidus, the Stinking or Bearpaw hellebore,
is my favorite species for foliage. Plants can reach well over two
feet in height and beyond three feet in width. Leaves are further
divided into narrow, toothed, leaflets. During cool weather the
older foliage will go over to an almost black-olive, while newer
foliage remains mid-green. On this species the blooms come from
the same stem as the foliage. New growth forming the bloom stem is
almost chartreuse in color. Quite a contrast in greens, making for
a dramatic show during the dead of winter when very little else
is green. The bell-shaped blooms are not all that showy, being a
bright green sometimes edged with a burgundy band of color. But
the bloom stem begins forming in mid-December and full bloom is
from the first of February through all of March.
H. foetidus is rated hardy in zones 5 through 8, but will require protection in zone 5. It is a very adaptable plant and a bit more quick to reach maturity in the garden. It is also not as long-lived as some other species, usually giving up the ghost after 5 to 6 years. Allow a seedling to come on beside the mature plant for future replacements after a few years in the garden. |
 Helleborus foetidus |
Helleborus odorus, or fragrant hellebore, is another of my favorites for its highly rewarding return for so little effort on my part. It is highly adaptable and requires very little care. This species performs best in partial shade in reasonably decent soil, but sits in hard clay in my garden. Mature showy clumps are formed in reasonable time.
The fragrant hellebore reaches just less than two feet in height and is deciduous. During late February and early March the golden-green blooms emerge first, quickly followed by the immature foliage. Of all the helleborus species blooming in green, H. odorus is the most attractive. The fragrant hellebore is hardy form zone 5 through 8.