How to Grow and Care for Hellebores

The lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) has been cultivated since the Germans began to do so in the mid-1800s, with varieties being created in the United Kingdom shortly after. Between the 1920s and 1960s, there was little interest in its cultivation until Helen Ballard bred new varieties. They are blooming early in the year hence they get their name of "Lenten rose".

Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) is a flowering evergreen perennial plant that is often grown in ornamental gardens because it flowers in the winter. Planting christmas rose is particularly common in cottage garden styles. In the wild, christmas rose grows in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Croatia. This plant is considered somewhat difficult to grow and requires moist, alkaline-rich soil.

Green hellebore (Helleborus viridis) is a perennial plant in the buttercup family and is native from central Europe west as far as the British Isles. In early spring it produces saucer-shaped, green flowers. All parts of the plant are a potential skin irritant and it is highly poisonous if ingested.

Stinking hellebore (Helleborus foetidus) is an evergreen perennial that can grow to 61 cm tall. It blooms from winter to spring with clusters of fragrant, yellowish green, cup-shaped flowers. Attractive light green foliage and flowers grow in a weeping form. Leaves have an unpleasant smell when crushed giving this plant the name stinking hellebore. It thrives in rich, well-drained soil in a semi-shady location.

Majorcan hellebore is an evergreen perennial with cup-shaped flowers in soft, rosy colors. Indigenous to the Mediterranean area, majorcan hellebore is also cultivated for use in containers, beds, and shady plant borders. This plant is considered toxic.