Hellebores:
Jewels of the Late Winter/ Early Spring Garden
Early bloom is prized in my Asharoken garden! My hellebores have been giving me color throughout the winter and into early spring when few other plants were blooming!Hellebores, belonging to the Ranunculus (Buttercup) family, are long blooming, clumping perennials native to Europe, Morocco and parts of Asia. With 22 species and numerous hybrids, they are popular in gardens for their evergreen foliage and the unusual timing of their flowering.
The winter-blooming hybrids of H. niger, known as "Christmas Roses" or "Winter Roses," are the earliest bloomers, while those flowering closer to Easter (H. orientalis and hybrids) are often referred to as "Lenten Roses". The selection of cultivars, including the green, bell-flowered H. foetidus or "Stinking Hellebore” and hybrids of the other species, is expanding every year.
Typically reaching heights of 12”-24” with spreads of up to 24”-30”, hellebores showcase cup-shaped single or double flowers in various hues—white, pink, red, yellow, near black, maroon, and purple—adorned with edges, speckles, and stippling. Some cultivars have nodding flowers that look beautiful planted on walls where they can be viewed from below; while others have outward facing blooms that are striking! Their evergreen, leathery dark green leaves vary from deeply-lobed to toothed, with some displaying variegated patterns.
Thriving in organically rich, well-drained soils and partial sun to light shade (Zones 6 - 9), hellebores require minimal maintenance. Pruning back old foliage in early winter stimulates new growth, though care must be taken not to damage emerging buds. These resilient plants often spread through self-seeding, with young plantlets taking up to three years to bloom.
Deer and rabbits avoid eating hellebores due to their toxicity. In fact, some people can have mild dermatitis due to the alkaloids in the leaves, so wearing gloves may be necessary in sensitive individuals.
These low maintenance, versatile plants are suitable for mass plantings and look stunning planted with spring bulbs. Later in the season, their foliage adds needed texture and weight to mixed garden plantings. You can purchase hellebores in most nurseries and garden centers, but to get unusual varieties you may have to order them online.
In March winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward. Something holds and something pulls inside of us too.”
~ Jean Hersey
~ Jean Hersey