Lenten Rose
Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) is the earliest flowering plant in my garden and also my most beloved late-winter flower. There is just so much to love about these popular, long-lived beauties. In February they begin to emerge and by early March their charming, rose-like blooms seem to herald the promise of the soon coming spring. Handsome, palm-like foliage is evergreen and gives these plants interest and good looks year-round. As an added bonus, they are highly deer resistant. Originally from Europe, Lenten rose are easy to grow and seem to be quite at home here in the southeastern United States.
Growing 12 – 18 inches tall, Lenten rose makes a fantastic, low maintenance groundcover or border for shady areas. These beauties come in bloom colors ranging from white, red, purple, orange, green, pink, and maroon with a variety of leaf sizes. Bowl shaped flowers will vary in size as well but commonly are 2 inches across. So now if you are thinking about planting a few, let’s talk a bit about how to grow Lenten rose.
When should you plant Lenten rose?
Plant Lenten rose in either the fall or spring. In the spring, I prefer to transplant seedlings into small pots allowing them to grow a bit through the summer. The following fall I plant them directly into the garden where they will continue to grow and mature. On occasion I have directly transplanted Lenten rose seedlings from where they sprouted near the mother plant to another location and they grew just fine as long as I kept them watered regularly the first season.
You can harvest their seeds in mid to late summer when they are ripe and plant them directly into the garden or landscape. I have had great success with both planting seeds and transplanting seedlings. The key is to provide them with a location where they will thrive.
Where is the best location to plant Lenten Rose?
They prefer full shade in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. Those that flourish best in my garden are planted under deciduous trees where they receive sunshine in winter months and full to dappled shade in the hot summer. Once Lenten rose is established, they are rather drought tolerant but thrive in moist (not wet) conditions in zones 4 – 8.
How to plant
Dig a hole about 12 to 18 inches deep that is more than twice as wide as the root ball. Adjust the size of the hole for smaller seedlings but keep it twice the size of their root mass. Add organic material such as compost. If you desire, mix in a slow-release all purpose fertilizer such as 12-6-6. Take care to set the plant level with the top soil and gently press the soil down to eliminate any air pockets. Plant them about a foot apart but not too deep. Apply mulch around the base of the plant to keep roots moist and prevent weeds.
Companions
Lenten rose grow well with early spring blooming flowers such as daffodil, narcissus, hyacinths, early snowdrops and crocuses as well as fern and hostas. Take care not to hide them behind taller planting but place taller plants to the side or back of your Lenten rose.
Care and maintenance
Water Lenten rose at least once a week when there is little or no rain. Add a layer of mulch in the fall and again in early spring. Feed Lenten rose with a top dressing of well-rotted compost or slow-release fertilizer. You may divide plants every couple of years in the fall or allow them to naturalize in woodland settings and among shrubs. I have never divided mine since they reseed every year providing me with many to transplant into the woodland landscape and lots more to share. Snip or trim away any damaged or ragged leaves – do not pull them as this can tear and injure the plant. Watch for seedlings in the spring and transplant them to a moist location or pot once they have 4 leaves. I enjoy transplanting them into small nursery pots and sharing them with my gardening friends.
It takes Lenten rose at least one year to establish and 2 or 3 years to produce blooms. However, they are well worth the wait with blooms becoming more abundant every year.
The helleborus featured in this article were grown in my home garden with the smaller ones being 3 years old and the fuller, larger ones 5 to 6 years old. Many other varieties exist and a wide array of selections are available through catalogs, garden centers, and websites.
 |
 |
 |
Click on any pictures for larger view.
WARNING: All parts of the hellebores plants are poisonous if eaten.
