Height:

12.0-18.0 Inches

Spread:

18.0-24.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

4,5,6,7,8,9

Flower Color:

White Shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades

Sunlight:

Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Low Water Needs Average Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0) Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Early Spring Mid Spring Late Winter

Attracts Wings:

Bee Friendly

Critter Resistant:

Deer Resistant Rabbit Resistant

Seasonal Interest:

Evergreen

Growth Rate:

Slow

Garden Style:

Patio Container Eclectic Woodland Shade

Other Features:

Border Plant Container Cut Flower Drought Tolerant Easy To Grow Mass Planting Salt Tolerant Small

Origin:

Not Native to North America

Hellebores are enjoyable to grow because they are low-maintenance and disease/pest-free.  Simply trim back last year's foliage in the spring.  They can adapt to almost any growing conditions.  Though they prefer rich, moist, organic soil, they will also grow in sandy or clay soil.  They can even tolerate short periods of drought.  The soil pH can range anywhere from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. 

Hellebores are shade plants that need to be protected from the hot afternoon sun.  They will grow in full shade under large deciduous trees as long as they receive full sun from winter to spring before the trees get their leaves. 

WARNING: Hellebores are poisonous. Do not consume any part of the plant!

Growing Temperature:

50-55° F days
40-45° F nights

Soil PH:

5.5-5.8 (see below for more details)

EC (What is EC?):

1.5-2.0 pour through method

Fertility:

Feed heavier during the cool growing season when plants are active (fall and spring). Apply 100-150 ppm N at this time. Helleborus are lighter feeders in summer when plants are summer dormant. Apply 50-75 ppm N during summer months and monitor EC levels in soil to avoid root burning from elevated salts.

Helleborus benefit from regular iron applications, which helps keep the foliage green and prevents chlorosis. We recommend applying a 6% EDDHA iron as a sprench at 4-6 oz/gal every 1-2 weeks.

Vernalization:

Cold temperatures required for active growth. Force at 45-55 degrees for best flower performance.

Pests & Diseases:

Scale can be a problem on helleborus and is easy to miss until there is a large population size. Scout the stems and undersides of leaves. Watch for crown and root rots as well as botrytis.

Potting & Timing:

Helleborus prefers cool temperatures and shaded conditions.
They put on most of their growth in early spring and then again in fall. Summer potting is not recommended.

Moisture:

Keep plants moderately moist but not wet.

Planting Level:

At crown level.

Lighting:

Provide 50% shade to avoid stress from the sunlight.

Other Comments:

Additional pH Notes: While in the garden Hellebores might prefer an alkaline soil, we have found that juvenile plants in a production environment benefit from a lower pH. Our pH listing above is lower than one may think is appropriate, however we find most growers have high alkalinity water which tends to raise the pH to 5.8-6.4.

Awards

Missouri Botanical Garden Plants of Merit

Fun Facts

In popular legend, Lenten Rose were blooming outside the stable in Bethlehem, hence the name "Lenten" rose. However, Hellebores aren't native to that area.

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