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Hellebore
Helleborus
Hellebore blooms from February through April.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Hellebore
Plant it in part shade. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 4–9. Expect it to reach about 1.3 ft tall and 1.6 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 2 years.
When to plant Hellebore
Plant Hellebore in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 4 to 9 range, spring means March to May and fall means August or September. Once settled, it blooms from February to April.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 6 in March.
Comes in 10 varieties across 6 colors
Same plant, same care - pick the color you are growing.
Good to know about Hellebore
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Safety
All parts are toxic to people and pets: they hold cardiac glycosides that act on the heart like foxglove. The sap also irritates skin, so wear gloves. per ASPCA and NC State
Worth knowing
One of the earliest perennials to bloom, opening in late winter, and its petal-like sepals hold color for one to three months, far longer than true petals last. per NC State
Hardiness varies by species
Lenten rose is hardy USDA zones 4 to 9, but Christmas rose goes to zone 3 and Corsican hellebore only to zone 6. Match the species to your zone. per Clemson
Late-winter leaf cut
As flowers and new leaves push up, cut the old tattered evergreen foliage off at the ground. It shows the flowers and cuts fungal leaf spot. per Wisconsin
Deer and rabbit resistant
Deer and rabbits leave it alone: every part is toxic and bitter, and the leathery leaves deter browsing. The same chemistry makes it poisonous to handle. per NC State
Self-seeds into free plants
Leave the seed pods to ripen and drop, and volunteer seedlings appear around the parent, the easiest way to get new plants. Hybrid seedlings vary from the parent. per Wisconsin
Early food for bees
Because it blooms when almost nothing else does, it feeds early-emerging bees on warm late-winter days. Valued more for its timing than for heavy visitation. per Penn State
What pairs well with Hellebore
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Jacob's Ladder
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late spring as this one finishes; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
Lobelia
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in late spring as this one finishes; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border.
Dead Nettle
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late spring as this one finishes; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
Solomon's Seal
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late spring as this one finishes; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; a soft color beside the pink.
Summersweet
Shares part shade and moderate to high water; blooms in midsummer, extending the bed's season; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; taller at 5.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
Impatiens
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate to high water; blooms in late spring as this one finishes; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; echoes the pink.
Bacopa
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in late spring as this one finishes; lower at 6 in, for the front of the border; its white flowers settle the pink.
Bigleaf Hydrangea
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate to high water; blooms in early summer, extending the bed's season; taller at 4.9 ft, for the layer behind it; both offer pollinator forage, in different months.
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