Hellebores Varieties: Made for Shade

Brighten your garden with hellebores, also called Lenten roses. These shade-loving beauties resist deer and come back reliably for years.

By: Lynn Coulter

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Photo By: Courtesy of Plant Delights Nursery, Inc.

Photo By: Courtesy Monrovia

Photo By: Courtesy Plant Delights Nursery, Inc.

Photo By: Courtesy of Plant Delights Nursery, Inc.

Photo By: Courtesy Plant Delights Nursery, Inc.

Photo By: Image courtesy of PerennialResource.com

Photo By: Courtesy Plant Delights Nursery, Inc.

Helleborus x hybridus Anemone Flowers

'Anemone Flowers' resembles an anemone, with a "collar" at the base of its petals. It's striking when grown with bright orange-red daylilies (Hemerocallis) or dark, glossy-leaved elephant ears (Colocasia).

Learn More: Growing and Caring for Hellebores

Helleborus x hybridus 'Painted Doubles'

Plant 'Painted Doubles' hellebores in part sun to light shade. Each doubled bloom has slightly different red or burgundy markings in the center. Hellebores do best when planted in well-drained soil with lots of organic material.

Helleborus 'Ivory Prince'

The buds on 'Ivory Prince' Lenten roses start out pink and become white as they open. The flowers face up and away from the plant, making them easier to see in shade or woodland gardens.

Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Ruby Glow'

H. niger plants are often called Christmas roses because they bloom in winter. 'Ruby Glow' is a hybrid with pink flowers held atop ruby red stems. Its grey-green leaves are veined with silver.

Helleborus argutifolius 'Snow Fever'

Hardy in zones 7a to 9b, 'Snow Fever' has handsome, thick foliage speckled with white, and creamy, upright flowers. Watch for the blooms to start opening in early March.

Helleborus x hybridus 'Double Violet'

The petals of 'Double Violet' are speckled with reddish-violet. Grow this Lenten rose in part sun to shade along with hostas, ferns, and Epimediums.

Helleborus x ericsmithii 'HGC Champion'

Also known as 'Winter's Bliss Hybrid Christmas Rose,' this hellebore starts putting out pink buds in February. When open, the creamy-white flowers reveal pink backs.

Helleborus x ballardiae 'Cinnamon Snow'

Cinnamon-red stalks hold the flowers of 'Cinnamon Snow' upright, so they're easy to spot in the shade garden. This Lenten rose grows to 12 inches tall and is hardy at least to zones 5 to 8.

Helleborus x ballardiae 'Merlin'

'Merlin' is a bewitching Lenten rose with flowers that age to an intense, dusky pink. Its dark green leaves grow in clumps up to 28" wide.

Helleborus 'Penny's Pink'

Hardy in zones 4 to 9, 'Penny's Pink' has marbled leaves and pink blooms. This Lenten rose blossoms as early in February in mild-winter regions.

Helleborus x ballardiae 'HGC Pink Frost'

VIgorous 'HGC Pink Frost' starts blooming in mid-February, with pink, outward-facing flowers that mature to a darker pink-red. This hellebore takes part sun to light shade.

Helleborus argutifolius 'Janet Starnes'

Also known as Speckled Corsican Hellebore, this unusual Lenten rose has variegated foliage. 'Janet Starnes' bears light green flowers in late winter or early spring and requires good winter drainage.

Hellebores Varieties: Made for Shade

Related To:

Shop This Look

Helleborus x hybridus Anemone Flowers

Helleborus x hybridus 'Painted Doubles'

Helleborus 'Ivory Prince'

Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Ruby Glow'

Helleborus argutifolius 'Snow Fever'

Helleborus x hybridus 'Double Violet'

Helleborus x ericsmithii 'HGC Champion'

Helleborus x ballardiae 'Cinnamon Snow'

Helleborus x ballardiae 'Merlin'

Helleborus 'Penny's Pink'

Helleborus x ballardiae 'HGC Pink Frost'

Helleborus argutifolius 'Janet Starnes'

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