Posted by Jim Klett – CSU Professor and Extension
Landscape Horticulturist
In our 2
winter, 3 growing season perennial trials at Colorado State University we have
been trialing numerous species of Helleborus
for five years. I have been extremely
impressed with their performance and hardiness and adaptability in our
trials. The common name is lenten rose
and they generally grow 15-18 inches in size and 15-20 inches or more in
width. Plants are evergreen but
sometimes the foliage can get battered by late winter. If this happens, prune off the dead leaves at
this time to make room for new growth and flowering. Some gardeners mow the old foliage off of
large plantings of the lenten rose for complete renewal.
The flowers
start blooming in mid to late February with rose or cream speckled flowers and
bloom for a long time. The sepals are
attractive for a long time after blooming.
Helleborus can reseed heavily
by the hundreds under certain conditions.
Usually the seedlings are located at the base of parent plant and can
flower in about the third spring. This
can create a nice effect in a natural setting.
Helleborus generally prefer a more moist organic
well-draining alkaline soil. We have
them planted in partial to full shade and they have performed excellent. They will tolerate some drier conditions in
the summer. Plants are long lived and
once established, division is seldom.
We have
planted many varieties of the Gold Collection® series from Skagit Gardens. Two that appear outstanding include: Maestro Hellebore (Helleborus x ballardiae ‘COSEH890’). Plant has shiny dark green foliage appearing
almost black at times toward the end of the season. Flower petals emerge a deep pink with white
and mature to a creamy white with shades of dusty rose on the backside. Flowers covered the plant from side to side
and was very prolific. Plants were
compact and with good vigor.
Maestro Hellebore in mid-March |
Maestro Hellebore in mid-March |
Flower fades to a dusty rose color in mid-April |
Merlin
Hellebore (Helleborus x ballardiae ‘COSEH810USPP #22350)
flowers on this Hellebore emerged with pink color that is brighter than most
and then matured to shades of dusty rose.
Blooms were held above foliage creating an impressive display. Plants were more compact with long lasting
dark green foliage and very low maintenance.
Merlin Hellebore with a deep pink color in mid-March |
Merlin Hellebore flower color matures to a dusty rose in mid-April |
Merlin Hellebore with dense, compact growth habit in mid-April |
Hellebores
are a great perennial for late winter early spring flower color that are evergreen
and low maintenance. If you do not have
some in your garden try some and enjoy the early spring flower color and nice
green foliage throughout the rest of the year.
I am going to put in 3 number one"Amber Gem" In a Shady well-watetrd spot. I will amend this urban soil heavily. Thanks for this information
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