Plants of the Helleborus genus are hardy perennials.
They are a sombre plant with flowers similar to anemones in murky colours, including pink, green, brown, plum and cream.
Some of the common name for woodland Helleborus plants include Hellebore, Christmas rose and Lenten rose.
Hellebore photograph by Kevin Wheeler, CC.
Common Names: Hellebore, Christmas Rose, Lenten Rose, Setterwort.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 8 to 36 inches (20 to 90 cm).
Native: Europe. Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 9. UK: H7
It is thought that Alexander the great died of an overdose of Hellebore.
Though not the easiest plant to grow, Lenten Roses and other Helleborus plants are well worth the effort, especially if you have a woodland garden.
If you have Hellebore roots, then they should be planted at a depth of 7 cm (3 inches) at the beginning of spring or autumn.
The seeds of the Hellebore should be sown into peat pots at a depth of 3 mm (1/10 inch). Next put the pot in a black bin bag, then place in the fridge for three weeks.
The pots should then be transferred to a shady part of the garden in the spring, and sunk into the soil.
Pots should then be covered with glass. As soon as seedlings sprout the glass covering should be removed.
The Helleborus plant seedlings should then be allowed to grow for a year.
Transplant out in either the spring or autumn. Locate in a shady part of the garden that has a rich moist soil of pH 6 to 7.5.
Once established Hellebore (and other Helleborus plant) members, will require to be watered regularly. They also need to be fertilized a couple of times a year with a light feed.
At the end of the season in autumn, older decayed leaves and flowers should be removed from the plant.
If you require more Helleborus plants, then they can be divided after flowering has finished, however be very careful to maintain a large root.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Helleborus plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Anemone hupehensis, Ornithogalum, and Aquilegia plants.