Flower of the Week: Lenten Rose/Hellebore

It has been said that an interest in hellebores shows maturity in a gardener, but the fact is anyone can appreciate and grow these fascinating plants. 

Sometimes referred to as 'Christmas Rose' or 'Lenten Rose', hellebores are the stars of the late winter/early spring garden. The plants generally bloom between December and March in cultivation, though some begin earlier and others continue into April and May.

The following post was submitted by Maggie Wiles of . 

In USDA 6 and above, most Helleborus/hybridus plants maintain their dark
green, glossy foliage through winter.

The buds typically emerge from the soil sometime between January and March, followed by large clusters of saucer-shaped flowers with white, pink, green, mauve or smoky purple flowers that are plain or attractively patterned with spots with some newer varieties being introduced with double flowers.  

Nearly every garden has a spot for hellebores, though typically sold as shade plants, they will thrive in many different environments and perform best if given a bit of sun.