It’s the perfect time to plant hellebores
With autumn starting to crisp the morning air, winter is just around the corner. Although it will be a relief to be rid of the Valley heat, I also dread the drab days of winter fog. The one thing that can brighten a dreary day is a flower in the garden, and that’s why I love hellebores. They’re among the first bloomers in very early spring, and some varieties will even flower in late winter.
Hellebores are commonly called the “Christmas or Lenten Rose” because of their flowering times. Their taxonomic home is in the Ranunculus (Buttercup) family. Large, colorful bell or saucer-shaped flowers droop down on a 45-degree angle. This drooping acts as a survival mechanism to protect tender pollen grains from damage due to rain, snow, or hail.
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Hellebores are evergreen perennials, so even when they’re not flowering, the foliage is still attractive with large, shiny dark green leaves. There are basically 2 types: foliage that emanates from the basal portion of the plant, like the Christmas and Lenten roses; and another type that bears its leaves on stems, like the Corsican hellebore.
Growing Conditions: Plant hellebores in well-drained soil enriched with plenty of organic matter. They prefer moist, but not soggy soils in filtered sunlight to dense summer shade. Ideal conditions for our hot valley would be to plant hellebores under deciduous shade trees where they get some morning sun. Be sure to add mulch around the plants to conserve moisture. They are greedy feeders, and need most of their nutrients in the spring and summer. Timed-release fertilizers applied in the spring and again in late summer will carry the plants into full bloom. Monthly applications of liquid plant foods will keep the plants lush and growing rapidly.
Pests and Diseases: Hellebores have relatively few pests or disease problems. Aphids can be troublesome but are not considered a major problem. Washing the plant with water usually takes care of them. Poor air circulation and damp conditions can lead to bouts with Botrytis, a common grey mold fungus, but this is easily controlled by proper spacing; worst case scenarios may need a copper based fungicide. Rodents, rabbits and deer will not eat hellebores. All parts are poisonous, even the seeds, and should be handled with care.
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Propagation: Plants are available in nurseries and fall is a perfect time to plant them. Hellebores can be propagated from seed or by divisions. Under ideal conditions they may self-sow, and young seedlings can be transplanted in early spring. Transplants will have a variety of colors and may not be like the parents. It takes 2-4 years for transplants to flower. Plants can be divided after flowering, although brittle roots make division of mature clumps difficult and older plants may not bloom for a year after being disturbed.
Varieties: Helleborus argutifolius, known as the “Corsican Hellebore” and a hybrid H. x sternii, are erect or sprawling, and grow 2-3 feet tall and wide. The leaves are blue-green and sharply toothed. Leafy stems carry clusters of 2-inch pale green flowers from winter to spring. This is the best hellebore for our area because it is more heat tolerant and can take more direct sun. Look for the hybrid carrying the name “Starnes” or the variety “Pacific Frost”.
Helleborus orientalis, or Lenten Rose, is the most popular hellebore, and flowers in colors ranging from white, pink, purplish, cream and greenish, often spotted with deep purple. It forms a clump 2 feet in width and 1 foot tall. The leaves have no obvious stems. This plant is easier to transplant than any of the other types.
Helleborus niger, or Christmas Rose, a white flowering species, is frequently in bloom during the holiday season. Folks in zone 7 can grow this species, but it doesn’t grow as well in zones 8-9. This is probably the cold hardiest of all the species. The most well-known variety is “Potters Wheel,” an exceptionally large flowering strain, with flowers up to 5”.
Helleborus foetidus, whose name means foul odor, has the dubious common name of “Stinking Hellebore.” That’s a misnomer, as the delicate, lacy foliage has an unusual but unobjectionable scent. Another name is “Bear’s-Foot Hellebore.” Plants and flowers are large. Clusters of inch-wide flowers are light green with purplish-red edges, blooming winter into spring.
Fall is a perfect time to add some hellebores to your garden. You won’t regret it when the burst of blooms brightens winter with a promise of spring.