Spring-blooming hellebores are easy to grow in gardens
I purchased a new home last winter and now am watching my garden come alive. There are some perennials with somewhat tattered leaves laying nearly flat on the ground that have flowers emerging from the base. What are these plants, and how do I take care of them?
— Silvia Rodriguez, Chicago
Your description sounds like you have hellebores in your garden. Hellebores are one of the earliest perennials to flower with roselike flowers in spring and will be seen flowering when daffodils and tulips are in flower.
The common name hellebore refers to several species of plants in the Helleborus genus. More specific common names include Lenten rose and Christmas rose.
The flowers can last for six to eight weeks before they turn brown and dry in place on the stems.
The foliage is evergreen in nature and forms a low-growing clump. The leaves you are seeing now are from last year and should be carefully pruned at ground level, taking care not to disturb the flowers.
New foliage will emerge from the base as the flowers are finishing and eventually cover the spent flowers. This foliage will then remain standing and attractive all summer and fall and persist into next spring.
Hellebores perform best in partial shade or shade, and in soil that is rich in organic matter, evenly moist and well-drained. They will do best with morning sun and afternoon shade, if they will be receiving any direct sun during the day. Avoid planting them in low wet areas and heavy clay soil. If your garden soil has heavy clay soil, then heartily amend it with compost before planting them.
Since you already have hellebores growing in your garden, you most likely have good conditions for growing them. Once established, hellebores will not need a lot of special attention, other than providing some supplemental water during very dry periods. With that being said, my hellebores do well at home with no supplemental water, even during very dry periods.
Deer and rabbits will not eat them, so they are a good choice if your garden has animal challenges. The plants are toxic if large quantities are eaten, which will be very unlikely, as the plants are bitter to the taste and thus not favored by browsing animals.
Hellebores that are planted in late spring and will likely not flower until next spring. Many varieties will reseed in the garden with the seedlings resembling one of the parent species, but not the hybrid parent.
You can cut hellebore flowers and bring them inside your home to enjoy. Put them in a vase, or try floating the blossoms in a bowl of water for a different display. The blossoms will last somewhere between a few days and a week or longer, depending on the age of the flower when you pick it.