Winter Blooms

Oftentimes in January, I am bemoaning the desolation in my garden caused by the cold weather. But this year, after a mild November and December, the garden still looks pretty good. In fact, I had petunias and nasturtiums in a window box that had very healthy foliage if not flowers until a couple of weeks ago when the weather turned colder. Helleborus 'Ivory Prince'

Typically, my hellebores are thriving this time of year.

Surprisingly, not many gardeners on the coast seem to want to try hellebores. I expect some of that reluctance is due to the sometimes high prices the nurseries seem to ask for these plants. But they are actually pretty good value even with paying a higher than normal price because they start blooming in early winter and continue until summer. Even if you have to pay the high end, say $25 a plant, given that they bloom about six months of the year, that brings the cost down to a little more than $4 a month. I have some planted by my front door where I can see them each time I go in and out of the house. In a season when not much else is in bloom, these lovely plants raise my spirits each time I pass them by.

There are several kinds of hellebores, three of which are the most popular. Known by the common names of Christmas Rose, Lenten Rose, and Stinking Hellebore, each bloom at a little different time of the winter and spring. Their flowers are a bit different as are the leaves, but I haven’t found one I don’t like, even the one that is unfortunately nicknamed the Stinking Hellebore.

Let’s start with that one. Helleborus foetidus is also called bears-foot hellebore. In my garden, it is the first to bloom, mostly in December. Its leaves grow about 2 feet tall - with the flowers adding another foot - and about that same width, so I give it lots of space. It will take full sun in our cool climate, but does well in part shade, too. The name is supposed to come from the fact that if the plant is bruised or crushed, it gives off an odor. It is not one that I find offensive, but I guess that’s personal taste. The flowers on mine are chartreuse that seem to glow on a dark and rainy day. I do make sure the soil is well drained, which isn’t a problem in my sandy part of the world. This hellebore is supposed to easily self-sow, but that hasn’t been the case for me. But self-seeding can be a mixed blessing, which I will explain in a moment.

Another success story with hellebores is the H. orientalis or Lenten Rose. This one is a bit more tolerant of our warmer winters than the Christmas Rose (H. niger), which does better in a little colder winter. Lots of flower colors are available for the Lenten Rose, including pinks, whites, purples, speckled, and even an almost-black burgundy. I happen to have one called H. orientalis ‘Hot Flash’ which not only has pink flowers but the leaves are attractively variegated with green and burgundy. Have to admit, though, that I bought this one solely due to its name several years ago and only fell in love with it after it bloomed. It has been a tried-and-true bloomer in my garden for more than 10 years now.

H. orientalis 'Hot Flash' >

The Christmas Rose likes more shade than the other two. And they all are okay with a dry summer. So their care is rather easy. I cut back the older foliage when it starts to look a bit stressed and withered. This can be anytime from mid-summer to late fall and early winter. When the flowers fade in late summer, I give them a trimming, too. My Christmas Rose is called 'Ivory Prince,' pictured above.

Since hellebores can grow into large clumps, you may want to divide them every four or five years to keep them fresh. This is also a good and inexpensive way to increase your collection. The best way to divide them is to carefully dig around the roots, about eighteen inches away from the base of the plant. Try not to damage the roots while doing this, and gently lift the clump from the ground. Remove as much soil as possible from the roots and then wash the rest off in a tub of water. You will be able to tell the difference between the roots and the crown of the plant. Leave the plants in the water until you dig new holes for the divisions. Using a sharp garden knife, slice vertically through the crowns, dividing the clump into several smaller clumps. When planting, make sure you include nice healthy roots with each crown, and plant so the crowns are just above the soil with the roots buried. Keep them watered for the first several weeks, and they should establish quickly. Don’t expect blooms until the following spring, though.

At the price of some of these plants, one would think self-seeding would be a good thing. But while some hellebores will self seed, they may not grow true to the mother plant. So if you want an exact replica, the only way to get one is through division.

Plant a few hellebores this spring and by this time next year, you will be enjoying winter flowers, too.