Helleborus hellebore

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Helleborus hellebore

Hellebores offer beautiful winter flowers | Text: Eurohosta, Foto: Eurohosta, Pixabay, E. Akerboon, January 2023

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Hellebore cultivation has a long tradition in Europe. Their flowers decorate the garden in the winter months, sometimes as early as January and often last until spring. In English, they are also called "lenten roses" because their flowers resemble roses and also because they bloom in spring, during the Christian Lent season. In German, they are also called Christrosen or Schneerosen - Christmas or snow roses, which is also related to their blooming season. Hellebore grows naturally in Asia and in some parts of Central and Eastern Europe, mostly in deciduous forests or in mountain meadows. There are several cultivars of hellebore at the market today, and we will give you some advice on how to care for them.

The most commonly grown species in gardens

Helleborus niger – Black Hellebore

A lower, evergreen perennial, mostly with white, relatively large flowers. It grows naturally in mountain meadows, e.g. in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia or Italy. It blooms in the middle of winter, often already around Christmas. The flowers are mostly white, cream or light pinkish white. It is widely cultivated in gardens. Not many cultivars have been bred. It sometimes suffers from frosts and is less suitable for growing in areas with strong fluctuations in spring temperatures.

Helleborus orientalis – Eastern Hellebore

It grows naturally in Greece, Turkey and Asia. Over the past 50 years, many cultivars have been bred that have white, green, creamy yellow, wine-reddish or even burgundy flowers. Some even have full flowers. It is widely cultivated throughout Europe. It is very undemanding. It likes partial shade, it does not mind the afternoon sun if the soil is moist enough.

Helleborus foetidus – Stinking Hellebore

Less widespread in gardens, but especially popular in the western part of Europe. A common species in the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia Minor.

Helleborus purpurascens – Purple Hellebore

Native species from Eastern Europe and Asia. It has pretty green leaves and purple flowers. It is also widely cultivated in gardens throughout Europe.

Helleborus argutifolius – Corsican Hellebore

A nice type of Hellebore from Corsica. It is cultivated only very, very rarely.

Helleborus foetidus – Stinking Hellebore

Helleborus niger – Black Hellebore

Helleborus orientalis – Eastern Hellebore

How to care for hellebore?

• Plant hellebores in partial shade, where they are shaded at least part of the day by other, preferably deciduous trees and bushes, which do not shade them in winter and provide protection from direct sunlight and wind in summer.
• Grow hellebore on a raised flowerbed, where their flowers stand out nicely.
• Grow hellebore in containers on balconies and terraces.
• In winter, plant hellebore instead of Christmas roses, during that period you can buy pretty flowering plants in flower shops.
• Be careful not to plant hellebore too deep in soil, as this can slow down flower production.
• Plant in the company of other perennials such as snowdrops, crocuses, muscari, daffodils, etc. Hellebores, however, are also suitable with hostas or peonies.
• It is not advisable to plant hellebore under conifers. They acidify the soil, and acidic soil does not suit hellebores. The ideal pH is 6-7.
• Hellebores contains toxins that can be harmful to pets or people, so keep them out of their reach.

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• In late winter or early spring, when new leaf stem appear, you can cut back any old or damaged leaves to the roots
• An annual application of suitable fertilizer or compost will help support the growth of your hellebores. It is best to fertilize them in the spring when they are growing. Fertilizers with a higher nitrogen content are suitable. Do not fertilize them too late in the fall so that they have time to prepare well for wintering.
• Give them plenty of water in the spring and fall when they are actively growing. They do not mind the temporary drought too much during the summer, because the heat causes the hellebores to slow down their growth.

Wintering

Hellebores are frost-resistant, hardy perennials. They will certainly survive the winters without any problems. In order to prevent damage caused by spring temperature fluctuations, you can cover them at the end of winter with cotton wool or non-woven fabric.

Propagation

Propagation is possible in two ways. By seeds and plant division. You can also grow hellebores from seeds relatively easily. Even small seedlings often appear spontaneously around the plants. Be aware that new plants ge plants and clean the roots from the soil. Then divide the bunch using a knife. Plant the nrown from seed will not have quite the same flowers as their parents. In the case of division, on the contrary, you always get a completely identical, new plant. Division of clumps is also a suitable method of propagation. Early autumn or spring is a suitable time for division. Carefully dig out thewly formed plants in a new place and water them well.

Few examples from our offer!