Helleborus Species, Hellebore, Lenten Rose, Christmas Rose, Black Hellebore

Helleborus niger

Family
Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Helleborus (hel-eh-BORE-us)
Species
niger (NY-ger)
Synonym
Helleborus niger subsp. niger
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Evergreen
Smooth
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Pink
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Winter
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Wilton, California

Clifton, Colorado

New Haven, Connecticut

Mount Prospect, Illinois

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Wayland, Massachusetts

Bayville, New Jersey

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Chesterland, Ohio

Monmouth, Oregon

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

Morrisville, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Anacortes, Washington

Stanwood, Washington

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
A
(Zone 6b) | February 2016 | positive

A wonderful native plant here in Austria which grows also well in gardens

L
Wayland, MA (Zone 6a) | January 2005 | positive

I love my helleborus! I have the traditional Christmas rose ( niger ) and a few un-named varieties the christmas rose is my favorite , ...Read More

E
Black Mountain, NC | October 2004 | positive

Growing some 50 plants with some 8 genus in a rocky(scree) area blossoms from jan or feb most years with 20 to 30 blossoms division is ...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2002 | neutral

The Christmas Rose is one of the easier garden plants to grow. Its ability to bloom in the coolest months of the year when everything el...Read More

Featured
Daylily 'Scarlet Orbit'
Orb Weaver Spider
(Neoscona crucifera)
Red-billed Streamertail
(Trochilus polytmus)
Featured
Daylily 'Scarlet Orbit'
Orb Weaver Spider
(Neoscona crucifera)
Red-billed Streamertail
(Trochilus polytmus)