A Winter Garden Essential: Hellebores
Hellebores are standout perennials known for bringing life to the garden when most plants are dormant. Often called Winter Roses or Lenten Roses, they bloom in late winter or early spring and brighten shady areas with long-lasting flowers and evergreen foliage. Their cold hardiness and low-maintenance habits make them an ideal choice for adding structure, texture and color to outdoor spaces throughout the year.
Hellebores are also prized for their adaptability. They are shade tolerant, drought tolerant once established, resistant to deer and rabbits and generally unaffected by pests and diseases. They support early-season pollinators and offer a wide range of flower colors thanks to modern breeding, from soft whites and pastels to deep maroons and nearly black tones. Many blooms shift in color as they age, adding dimension and interest.
Hellebores thrive in woodland-style or Pacific Northwest gardens where their evergreen foliage and early flowers offer structure during the winter season. They work well under trees, along shaded paths or in mixed borders. Pair them with spring bulbs or shade-loving plants such as ferns, hostas, brunnera, bleeding hearts and epimediums for a full, layered look. They are also excellent in winter containers with heuchera, primroses or violas and can remain in pots year-round or transition into garden beds in late spring.
Early Season Hellebores
- Ice N’ Roses Red: Early blooming with abundant reddish pink flowers
- Ice N’ Roses White: Clear white blooms held on strong stems
- FrostKiss Moondance: Upright white flowers above marbled foliage
- FrostKiss Penny’s Pink: Pink upright blooms sitting over striking foliage
- Shooting Star: Large upright flowers with blush pink buds that open white
- Snow Fever: Variegated blue and white foliage with pink new growth
- Monte Cristo: Silvery, toothed foliage with cream and green upward-facing flowers
Late Season Hellebores
- Winter Jewels Double Slate: Double blooms in a blue-black tone
- Winter Jewels Fire and Ice: Clear white doubles edged in vivid pink
- Winter Jewels Sun Flare: Yellow double flowers fading to pink at the edges
- Honeymoon Sandy Shores: Amber blooms trimmed in maroon with speckled centers
- Honeymoon New York Night: Black single blooms with yellow stamens
- Honeymoon French Kiss: Light pink flowers streaked and edged in deeper pink
Hellebores grow best in humus-rich, well-drained soil with dappled shade or soft morning sun. They need consistent moisture during establishment but require little supplemental watering in summer once mature. Annual organic fertilizer in late winter and a light layer of compost-based mulch, kept away from the crown, support strong growth. Removing old foliage in winter helps highlight emerging blooms and keeps plants tidy. While generally low maintenance, hellebores can develop fungal issues in overly wet soil and may attract slugs, snails or aphids early in the season.
If you are planning landscape updates or exploring plants that add year-round interest, reach out anytime for guidance and ideas tailored to your property. Whether the goal is improved curb appeal, low-maintenance design or preparing for a future sale, let’s start the conversation!
