Helleborus Orientalis is commonly referred to as Lenten roses. The Lenten rose gets its nickname from its growing season, which begins in January or February and continues into spring, encompassing the season of Lent.
No, these are not really roses. The Helleborus is an evergreen perennial. The first time I saw these at the garden center, I couldn’t resist! I had never seen or heard of these before! The plants have beautiful bell-shaped flowers and when it was revealed that they bloom in late winter, how could I resist? Don’t know about you, but after a long cold winter, I live for spring flowers!
Last year, by the end of January, these plants already had flower buds on them and in February, they were in full bloom. The blooms lasted well into April. Are these beautiful or what? You can find the original post where I introduced ‘Pink Frost’ ◄here.
The flowers make beautiful cut bouquets. Interestingly, the more mature cut flowers last longer than the newer ones just beginning to bloom.
About The Helleborus
The Helleborus are winter-hardy frost-resistant shade plants that need little care. These plants prefer light shade and well-drained soil. They do not like to sit in wet soil.
The Lenten roses don’t need fertilizer but if you give them a slow-release fertilizer, they will flourish. I love the compact little mounded plants that they become and the leathery leaves.
The bushes need little pruning but after the new growth shows up, just trim off any unsightly or damaged foliage from the previous year.
Planting The Helleborus
When planting these, be sure not to bury, but just cover the crown of the plant. Planting the crown too deep inhibits flowering, just like peonies.
Plant these with hostas and other shade-loving plants.
Helleborus are often planted en masse as a ground cover. If you don’t want to go that crazy, plant them in groups of three or five. They should be planted 18 to 24-inches apart.
After watching this plant grow over the past two years, I wanted two more. Yesterday, we took a short trip over to Cyndi’s Garden Center on Lawrenceburg Rd., in North Bend, Ohio, and picked up some beautiful Savannah Cerise Sizzle Geraniums
and two more of the Helleborus. I couldn’t resist those geraniums! Aren’t they gorgeous?
This is the Hellebore HGC Ice ‘n Roses ‘Rosado’, Helleborus. It grows up to 24-inches and has a bicolored flower.
The third Hellebore is Winter Jewels – Slate Double. The blossoms on these are so pretty. These grow 18 – 22-inches tall.
Be Social!
Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook so you won’t miss anything! I would love for you to share this post with your friends! They need great decorating ideas, too! Pin it! It only takes a second!
