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perennial

Oriental Hellebore*

Helleborus orientalis

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Oriental Hellebore (Helleborus orientalis) at Hicks Nurseries

Oriental Hellebore flowers

Oriental Hellebore flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Oriental Hellebore (Helleborus orientalis) at Hicks Nurseries

Oriental Hellebore flowers

Oriental Hellebore flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

* This is a "special order" plant - contact store for details

Height:  20 inches

Spacing:  14 inches

Sunlight:  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Other Names:  Lenten Rose, Winter Rose

Description:

Buttercup-type dangling flowers in rose, purple and white emerge in late winter and spring, one of the first flowers to come up in cool weather and what a beautiful harbinger they are; ideal for woodland gardens and shady slopes

Ornamental Features

Oriental Hellebore features showy nodding rose cup-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems from late winter to early spring. Its glossy oval compound leaves remain bluish-green in color throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Oriental Hellebore is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Oriental Hellebore is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Oriental Hellebore will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 14 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This species is not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by division.

 

* This is a "special order" plant - contact store for details

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Rock  Edging  Garden  Naturalizing 
Applications
Flowers 
Ornamental Features
This Plant Finder tool is an online resource representing many of the varieties that we carry over the course of the season, and is intended for informational purposes only. Inventory varies seasonally, so we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times - please contact the store directly for current availability. It does not include our entire selection of plants, so be sure to visit our store to see varieties that may not be represented on this list.