By Andrew Bunting, PHS VP of Horticulture 

Hellebores have become one of the most interesting and beautiful flowering perennials in the winter landscape. Known for their striking blooms and evergreen foliage, they provide much-needed color and interest during the colder months. The most popular varieties include the Christmas rose, Helleborus niger, and the Lenten rose, Helleborus x hybridus. These plants, along with many other species and hybrids, offer a wide range of colors, from white and yellow to purple, pink, and even red, often with stunning central markings. With a height of about one foot, hellebores thrive in tough garden conditions and are deer-resistant, making them an ideal choice for challenging landscapes. 

Hellebores: Tough Plants for Tough Conditions 

Hellebores excel in shaded areas of the garden, particularly in dry, shaded or partially spots. Whether planted under tree roots or in the dense, dry shade of conifers like spruces and pines, these hardy plants continue to thrive. They also make a great companion for other shade-loving plants, such as Christmas fern, Polystichum acrostichoides; the barrenworts, Epimedium; Rohdea japonica and Allegheny spurge, Pachysandra procumbens.  

Easy Care for Hellebores 

One of the many reasons gardeners love hellebores is their relatively low-maintenance care. For varieties like Helleborus niger and Helleborus x hybridus, you can remove any desiccated or burned leaves in late winter as the buds begin to emerge. The remaining foliage provides valuable protection for the emerging buds against the cold. However, be sure to wait until the threat of frost has passed before cutting back the leaves. 

Some hellebore types, particularly Helleborus x hybridus and Helleborus foetidus, set copious amounts of viable seeds that germinate readily in the garden. Perfect for those who want to have these plants proliferate. These seedlings can be transplanted in spring, once true leaves have developed. Remember to water them immediately after transplanting to ensure healthy growth. 

Popular Hellebore Species and Cultivars 

With dozens of species and hundreds of cultivars to choose from, hellebores offer a wide array of options for gardeners. The resurgence in hellebore popularity began in the early 1990s, thanks to breeding efforts in both Germany and the United States.

Today, Helleborus x hybridus, also known as the Lenten rose, is one of the most cultivated types. This hybrid features large rosettes of broad, evergreen leaves surrounding stout stems, each covered with five-petaled flowers in colors ranging from pink, rose, purple, and yellow to nearly black.

Some varieties are spotted, while others feature double flowers. A popular cultivar, Brandywine™, was created by local plantsman David Culp at his Brandywine Cottage garden in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. This variety offers a wide range of colors, including pink, purple, apricot, and white, as well as doubles, anemone types, and spotted varieties. 

The Christmas rose, Helleborus niger, is another standout, known for its pure white flowers adorned with golden-yellow stamens. While it typically blooms in late winter in areas like Philadelphia, it can flower as early as Christmas in milder climates, such as those found in Europe and the UK. 

The Stinking Hellebore: A Unique Beauty 

While the Helleborus foetidus is often unfairly named the stinking hellebore, its distinctive odor is hardly off-putting in the garden. In fact, this species is prized for its attractive, fern-like foliage, which features deeply lobed leaves. Growing up to 2 ½ feet tall, it produces an abundance of light green flowers. This hellebore is particularly good for naturalizing, as it readily self-seeds in dry, shaded spots, such as the base of trees. 

Hellebore Hybrids: New Varieties for Every Garden 

In the last 30 years, there has been an amazing renaissance in the horticultural world with hellebores. Many individuals and companies have hybridized many species and there has been an explosion of new and interesting selections hitting the market every year.

Winter Ballet Series: The Winter Ballet Series features hybrids between the Lenten rose and Christmas rose, showcasing several stunning cultivars. Notable varieties include ‘Liara,’ which reaches 18-20 inches tall with light pink flowers and darker pink veins, and ‘Linda,’ which features cream-colored flowers with a yellowish-green center. 

Honeymoon® Series: Created by famous plant breeder Hans Hansen, the Honeymoon® Series is known for its vibrant flower displays and long-lasting blooms. Varieties include ‘California Dreaming,’ with bright yellow flowers; ‘French Kiss,’ which features large white flowers with magenta veining; ‘Rome in Red,’ which has deep maroon-red flowers; and ‘Tropical Sunset,’ with light yellow flowers streaked with red. 

The Rockies Series: The Rockies Series features both attractive flowers and foliage, making these hybrids a standout in the garden. Varieties include ‘Grand Teton,’ with blue-grey spiny foliage contrasting with maroon flowers, and ‘Table Mountain,’ which has emerging golden leaves. 

Frostkiss® Series: The Frostkiss® Series is a complex hybrid, combining H. x hybridus, H. niger, H. lividus, and other species to create plants with both unique flowers and stunning foliage. ‘Anna’s Red’ has reddish-purple flowers with silver-patterned leaves, while ‘Penny’s Pink’ boasts bright pink flowers set against bronze foliage with pink veining. 

Why Choose Hellebores for Your Garden 

With their stunning winter blooms, evergreen foliage, and low-maintenance care, hellebores are an excellent choice for gardeners looking to brighten up shaded or dry areas. Their resistance to deer and ability to thrive in tough conditions make them a valuable addition to any landscape. From the classic Lenten rose to new hybrid varieties, hellebores offer something for every garden style. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, hellebores can bring year-round beauty to your garden with minimal effort.