Helleborus
Lenten Rose
The Helleborus is a very early blooming perennial, showing it's delicate flowers in late winter to early spring. Though the flowers may look delicate, they will withstand late snow cover and late frosts. Their common name is Lenten Rose, given because their bloom time is during the Christian season of Lent. Their foliage is evergreen in zones 6 and above, but even at colder zones may retain their dark green leathery leaves all winter with only minor tip browning. Flower colors range from white to pinks, peach, rose and purples, frequently with darker spotting on the petals. They may be single petaled as seen above, while some varieties display double sets of petals. The blooms can last up to six weeks! Many have their flower heads nodding at the ground, while some of the newer cultivars face upwards.
These plants prefer humusy, well drained soil in part to full shade, and best of all they are quite deer resistant. Once established, they are very drought tolerant, but choose your planting site carefully as they really don't take well to being transplanted. New plants can be taken from offshoots of the original plant. To keep these plants thriving, fertilize in early spring with a slow release fertilizer.
The first few years I had one of these plants, I totally missed the blooms because I didn't begin to look for them until the crocuses and daffodils were blooming. By that time, I discovered finally, they were finished blooming. So don't wait for warm weather to check for blooms, get out there and check for that first hint that spring is just around the corner, and the thought that winter is on it's way out will bring a smile to your face!
By: Sandy Weinkam
A.J. Rahn Greenhouses
These plants prefer humusy, well drained soil in part to full shade, and best of all they are quite deer resistant. Once established, they are very drought tolerant, but choose your planting site carefully as they really don't take well to being transplanted. New plants can be taken from offshoots of the original plant. To keep these plants thriving, fertilize in early spring with a slow release fertilizer.
The first few years I had one of these plants, I totally missed the blooms because I didn't begin to look for them until the crocuses and daffodils were blooming. By that time, I discovered finally, they were finished blooming. So don't wait for warm weather to check for blooms, get out there and check for that first hint that spring is just around the corner, and the thought that winter is on it's way out will bring a smile to your face!
By: Sandy Weinkam
A.J. Rahn Greenhouses
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