Have you ever wondered about the bundles of bamboo stems you see for sale just about everywhere, from novelty stores to warehouse clubs?They’re called “lucky bamboo,” and despite their ubiquitous presen
06.06.2023 - 19:58 / gardenerspath.com / Nan Schiller
How to Grow Hellebores, the Winter-to-Spring Sensation Helleborus orientalisIf you’re tired of looking out the window at a dormant winter landscape, have I got a plant for you! It’s Helleborus orientalis, aka Lenten rose, or simply, hellebore.
Helleborus is a genus in the Ranunculaceae, or buttercup family that includes anemones and delphiniums.
While the rest of the garden sleeps and chill winds blow, this pugnacious evergreen perennial raises stalwart stems into the frosty air, often blooming as early as January, and continuing well into spring.
We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
In this article, I’ll cover all you need to know to cultivate hellebores in your garden.
Here’s what’s to come:
Cultivation and HistoryHybrids of the wild Lenten rose are readily available for home gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. You’ll find them under the name Helleborus x hybridus, which we’ll talk about in a little bit.
Lenten roses are acaulescent, which means each stem rises directly from the rhizomatous root system, to form clumps that may reach two feet tall and wide.
Downward-facing cup-shaped flowers consist of petal-like sepals surrounding an intricately detailed inner flower called a “nectary.”
Sepal hues range from shades of green and yellow to pink and red. Variations such as contrasting spotting, veining, and “picotee” edging, as well as semi-double and double sepals, multiply the possibilities in an already extensive color palette.
Foliage consists of glossy dark green multi-lobed leaves with a serrated edge and leathery texture.
Hellebores require moist, loamy soil that is well-drained. They thrive in exposed locations in the winter, but when summer
Have you ever wondered about the bundles of bamboo stems you see for sale just about everywhere, from novelty stores to warehouse clubs?They’re called “lucky bamboo,” and despite their ubiquitous presen
The garden heliotrope, Heliotropium arborescens, is a tender shrubby perennial, or sub-shrub, of the borage family, with clusters of sweetly-scented blossoms in shades of purple, blue, or white.With a backdrop of dark green pleated leaves, plants bear a resembla
Bachelor’s button, Centaurea cyanus, is a European wildflower that has naturalized across the United States. It is a member of the Asteraceae family that includes asters, chicory, daisies, mums, sunflowers, and yarrow.It’s a vigorous plant commonly found growing among the grain crops in farmer
Plants add vitality to indoor spaces.There’s something refreshing about having greenery and
Indoor gardening with terrariums is a fun and attractive way to incorporate plants into any home décor.In Victorian times, renowned physician
Onions are a vegetable garden favorite. They are members of the large and diverse Allium genus that includes garlic and leeks, and are staples in recipes from countries around the globe.We link to vendors to help
Cauliflower, Brassica oleracea var.botrytis, is a vegetable in the Brassicaceae family that includes broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, collards, kale, and kohlrabi.It is a cool-weather crop often referred to as a “brassica”or “cole
Baby’s breath spirea,Spiraea thunbergii, is an ornamental woody shrub in the Rosaceae family. It has gracefully arching stems and slender, slightly-serrated lanceolate leaves.The ‘Ogon’ cultivar, S. thumbergii ‘Ogon’, aka Mellow Yellow, is noteworthy for its early spring bloom
Did you know that even if you don’t have lots of sunlight coming through your windows, you can still grow lush plants indoors?Yes, foliage has had a place in dim corners of stylish ho
Satin flower, Clarkia amoena, aka godetia, is an annual native wildflower in the Onagraceae family that also includes evening primrose and fuchsia.Colors include peach, pink, purple, red, and white, often with str
Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, is a fast-growing native vine in the Vitaceae or grape family.Also known as woodbine and five-fingered ivy, this species is c
Do you love to grow your own herbs and spices to provide you with unique flavors for recipes and food creations? Try growing your own caraway!We link to vendors to help you find re