Family: Ranunculaceae
Common Name: Hellebore, Christmas or Lenten Rose

Native to central, eastern and southern Europe and western Asia, these perennials, mainly evergreen, are popular for their winter or early spring flowers. They look best when mass planted, say in a woodland garden or shrub border. They have divided, sometimes sharply toothed foliage, and bowl-shaped flowers in shades of white, cream, yellow, green, pink, red and purple.

Species

H. argutifolius, zone 7, from Corsica and Sardinia, grows 1.2 m (4 ft). Taller spikes of green flowers appear above the coarsely toothed leaves.

H. foetidus, zone 6, to 80 cm (32 in), has pale green flowers, tipped with purple.

H. lividus, zone 7, is a deciduous species, to 45 cm (18 in), with purple or brown flowers, green when young.

H. niger, Christmas rose, zone 3, to 30 cm (12 in), has white, saucer-shaped flowers, sometimes tinged with pink.

H. orientalis, Lenten rose, zone 6, grows to 45-60 cm (18-24 in), but it is its wide range of cultivars which are grown, with flow­ers in shades of white, cream, yellow, pink, red and purple. The flowers of many are spotted with a contrasting colour.

H. viridis, zone 6, is another deciduous species, which grows 30-45 cm (12-18 in), and produces unusual, pale green flowers.

Cultivation

Hellebores need rich soil, much added organic matter, and at least part shade. Feed in spring and allow a year for plants to become established. Propagate species from seed sown in autumn in a garden frame, or divide estab­lished clumps of species and hybrids in late summer or early autumn. They hybridize well and produce interesting flower colours.

Climate

There are species suited to various cli­matic zones.