Hellebores, sometimes referred to as Christmas roses or Lenten roses, are members of the buttercup family. Hellebores are compact and slow-growing perennials with thick foliage that forms a lush clump of umbrella or palm like leaves, providing an excellent addition to various areas of landscaping. Hellebores are easy to grow and have a long season, making them an excellent foundation for a shade garden that will remain beautiful year-round. Hellebores work well on their own, but also work well with companion plants. There are many benefits to adding hellebores to your landscape design.
Hellebores are a very interesting plant. First, they are one of the few plants that will flower in late winter and early spring, even in our cooler Michigan climate, and can withstand an early or late frost, making them a popular choice for those who love the idea of a garden that can thrive year-round. In fact, hellebores are among the first perennials to flower in Michigan.
In addition, hellebores provide a valuable nectar for early pollinators, but do contain toxic chemicals that are poisonous to humans, dogs, cats, and horses. Although they are not toxic to all animals, many animals who are known to eat garden plants, such as deer and rabbits, will typically steer clear of hellebore.
Hellebores can be seen as a very beneficial addition to gardens, as they are easy to care for, provide year-round color, are pest resistant, and will attract pollinators. Because they self-seed, they will grow well and provide ground cover.
There are many different varieties of hellebores. From 20 species in Europe and Asia, interbreeding has produced countless hybrids that are available in many different colors and forms. The most popular hellebore species are Corsican Hellebore, Stinking Hellebore, Christmas Rose, and Lenten Rose.
Corsican Hellebore has large clusters of up to thirty pale green flowers and blooms from late winter to early summer.
Stinking Hellebore has large open clusters of bright, bell-shaped flowers edged in dark red, and bloom from late winter through mid-spring.
Christmas Roses have a large bowl shaped white bloom, which opens in December in warmer climates, giving it the Christmas name, although in cooler climates it will open in early spring.
Lenten Roses, which also get their name from their blooming season, bloom in the spring, and are the most colorful hellebores. Lenten Roses are the most popular hellebores and have the most variety in color and form. Mature Lenten Roses can have fifty or more flowers per plant and are a beautiful addition to any garden.
The best time for planting hellebores is during the fall and spring. Dry summer months should be avoided, as hellebores will need more frequent watering when they are first established. Hellebores do best in areas of partial shade, although certain varieties may thrive in areas of more sun or shade, and many homeowners choose to plant hellebores in shady borders or under large trees. The planting area should be able to drain easily and should be sheltered from strong winds. Neutral or alkaline soil is best, and the area around the planting should be mulched right away to keep the soil moist and discourage weed growth, although over mulching should be avoided to prevent issues with rot. When transferring hellebores from their container to the ground, they should be planted at the same depth as the container.
Caring for your hellebores is easy, even for the most inexperienced or casual gardener. When hellebores are newly planted, they will need to be watered regularly, but once established, can handle drier soil and will only need watering during hot dry spells. Hellebores do not typically require any fertilizing, although they should be top dressed in compost once a year. In the fall, any damaged or dead foliage should be pruned, and deadheading blooms during the growing season will promote new growth. If you want to keep your garden contained, seed pods should be removed before they open, as hellebores can spread quickly and take over an area.
Hellebores can also be divided in the early fall or right after spring flowering, although it can take several years for the new plant to bloom. Hellebores are not bothered by most pests or diseases, so there is not much to look out for concerning the health of the plant. Although uncommon, there is one disease these plants are vulnerable to, so if you notice black streaks along the leaves, the plants are likely infected by Hellebore black death and should be removed and destroyed before they infect the rest.
Hellebores are beautiful, and since they require a minimal level of gardening knowledge and care to keep them thriving, they can work for even novice gardeners. Finding a local landscape provider to help you design your garden beds with hellebores can help ensure that your plants are healthy, thriving, and ready to bloom for many years. Rather than looking at a sparse garden during the colder months, hellebores will provide green for most of the year, and are among the first plants to bloom and the last to die back. With hundreds of varieties available from the Twin Oaks Landscape nursery, there is something that is perfect for any garden, and our team is ready to help you find the right ones for your outdoor spaces. To learn more about our all-inclusive landscape maintenance package, contact Twin Oaks Landscape today!