Plant field guide
Hellebore (Lenten Rose)
One of the earliest perennials to bloom, often flowering through snow. Evergreen leathery foliage. Deer and rabbit resistant.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Helleborus orientalis
- Sun
- partial shade
- Water
- moderate
- Height
- 12 in (30 cm) – 24 in (61 cm)
- Spread
- 18 in (46 cm) – 24 in (61 cm)
- Spacing
- Not recorded
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 4–9; average annual extreme minimum from -30°F (-34.4°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: February.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Virtually pest-free. Deer resistant. Self-seeds gently. Remove old leaves in late winter to showcase flowers.
Pruning
Remove old foliage in late winter before flowers emerge to showcase blooms.
Fertilizer
Light balanced organic
After flowering
Mulch
2 inches of leaf mold or organic mulch.