Hellebore, Spring’s untapped Perennial

Oh my Hellebores how do I love thee!!! While many refer to these perennials as Lenten Rose because of their bloom time, I was introduced to them as Hellebore. AKA Helleborus which is their botanical name.

I received my first Hellebore as a split from one of my customer’s well established large clumps. When she asked me if I wanted one, I was totally unfamiliar with Hellebores and only said yes to be polite. There she was with her shovel digging up a clump and sticking it in a bucket for me to take. I wasn’t sure where I was going to plant it or if I even wanted it at the time. 

I planted the Hellebore soon after I received it, but I didn’t pay much attention to it for the first year or so. Then, in early spring as I was taking a slow stroll through my garden, its blooms caught me by surprise. The blooms were only slightly noticeable and facing downward, but when I gently cupped them in my hand for a better look I was shocked about how beautiful and unique they looked. I began paying more attention to this little treasure I had previously ignored. What I found striking about the plant was that it looked beautiful almost year round. The blooms even looked interesting when they were past their prime and were just dried flowers and seed heads. They were just as fascinating as when they were in full bloom.

 Why am I sharing this? I don’t want you to pass them by like I almost did. The last couple of decades have brought a resurgence in popularity to these beauties. The older varieties mostly had downward facing flowers so quite often they went unnoticed like I almost did. Although all the newer varieties don’t have upward facing blooms, they do have showier blooms either upfacing, double, or unique colors or patterns. Personally, I am loving the Ice N’ Roses line, but there are so many beauties. There really isn’t any one type I haven’t found something to like about it.

Another unique trait about Hellebores is that they are in most cases evergreen. In my zone 5b climate, when the snow melts, the Hellebore foliage is usually in pretty good shape with only a slight pruning needed to remove a few winter damaged leaves. I love using them for cut flowers. They seem to last forever. These plants thrive in shaded areas where others fail. If you think of where most Hostas typically like to grow, that is where this plant will excel. 

So if anyone ever offers you a split from their established Hellebore plant, make sure you take it! I am so glad I did.