Growing the Christmas rose, Helleborus niger is a great way to have a little history in your garden and have a great winter-blooming perennial at the same time. Popular Hellebore varieties include the Helleborus x hybridus, Helleborus niger, and the taller varieties which include Helleborus argutifolius and Helleborus foetidus. Helleborus hybrids come in a wide range of colors from pink and red to yellow, apricot, white, green and even black.

Understanding the Context

Hellebores, also known as Lenten roses, are plants that flower from February through May and feature evergreen foliage. While considered a relatively trouble-free plant, the hellebore is susceptible to leaf spot, a fungal disease that can spread quickly and have a devastating impact on all the hellebores in your garden. What is Hellebore Leaf Spot? Image sourced from eXtension.org Collectively known as Helleborus x hybridus, they are the product of crosses of H.

Key Insights

orientalis and a number of other hellebore species. They have larger, wider palmate foliage and bloom colors that range from whites to pinks to practically black, deep purples. Helleborus x hybridus 'Anna's Red' has large, rich, ruby-red flowers on red stems. Just like her 'sister' (which is 'Penny's Pink'), it h...Read More as striking marbled foliage with deep pink veins in early spring that will turn silvery later on. Named after Anna Pavord.

Final Thoughts

Anna Pavord (*20 September 1940 Abergavenny) is the gardening correspondent for The Independent and the author of a number ...