Easy-to-Grow Hellebores

The stunning world of hellebores.

There are lots occurring in the hellebores world. Recent breeding innovations have brought new colors, new shapes, and longer bloom times for these perennials that are nearly perfect. Maybe the reason for all this new interest in hellebores is due to the fact that they're so easy to plant search by photo. Maybe this is because their flowers bloom ahead of everything else, giving you fresh-picked flowers like the one shown above, even in the winter months. Maybe it's just that gardeners are drawn to their gorgeous jewel tones difficult to resist. "Their allure certainly arises from their precocious bloom time," says C. Colston Burrell, the author of Hellebores: A Comprehensive Guide. "Gardeners yearn to have blooms all year round and hellebores bring a dose of spring during winter. The flowers are bright and bloom in a plethora of colors. They also last for a long time. Since the most attractive parts of the flower are sepals and instead of petals, they will not fade or shrivel as petals do. The color can last for a long time, prolonging the bloom period right through spring."

Hellebores The winter rose

The most widely grown variety of hellebore is the wide variety of hybrids with a preference for a shade called the Lenten or winter rose. Breeding has resulted in a broad variety of fascinating hellebores. They tend to turn downwards (to guard the pollen) and measure approximately 3 inches in diameter and are usually with shades of white or rose, as well as green, or purple. Modern hellebore varieties come with pointed and spotted petals. Some are bicolors or double-flowered and streaked. The new leaves appear when the flowers are in bloom and they develop into a stunning lush evergreen groundcover.