Hello Hellebore

After January brought bitterly cold temperatures, February of 2025 brought us record-setting snow fall.  As we welcome March (and the warmer months ahead) the landscape is dominated by the browns of dormant plants and berried evergreens… save for a cluster of short, dark green leaves nestled under a tree. Hints of color prove flower buds are emerging. Lenten Roses persevere under the harshest of conditions.

Early Risers

Lenten Roses, or Hellebores, are perennial plants hardy to zone 4. They bloom in early spring, adding color when few other flowers are in bloom! Many have attractive, thick foliage that remains evergreen throughout the year. Due to the toughness of the leaves and serrated edges, the plants are deer and rabbit resistant. Their nodding, cup-shaped flowers offer a subtle elegance and come in a range of colors—including whites, dusty pinks, purple, green and near-black, as well as picotee and speckled varieties. Their long lasting blooms can persist for weeks, often graduating into new shades as they mature.

How They Grow

Hellebores are perfect for woodland gardens and shaded borders. They thrive in partial shade to full shade, like rich well-drained soil, and are drought tolerant once they become established (which is a nice feature for our area, prone to long periods of little rain in summer. On the flip side, they can also withstand temperatures down to -20°F, which is part of the reason they make good cold season evergreens.

Dashing Groomsman Helleborus

Blushing Bridesmaid Helleborus

Rio Carnival Helleborus

Frostkiss Molly’s White Helleborus