Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus)
Perennial
- Unique chartreuse blooms instantly brighten shade gardens!
- Pairs beautifully with spring-blooming bulbs.
- Deer & rabbit-resistant, overall low-maintenance.
- Handsome foliage is evergreen in warmer climates.
- Zones 5-9, part sun to shade, up to 12-24" tall x 12-18" wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
If the flowers didn't sell you, this will: Lenten rose resists deer and rabbits, tolerates dry shade, and is easy to grow, making it excellent for beginners. Its evergreen foliage, even in western Michigan, keeps it looking handsome year-round. Plant it in a shady corner and watch this perennial thrive. Caution: Lenten rose is toxic if ingested.
Details
Common name: Stinking Hellebore, Lenten Rose
Zone: 5-9
Sun exposure:Part sun (4-6 hrs sun/day) to shade (<4 hrs sun/day).
Height x width: 12-24" x 12-18"
Flower color: Green
Foliage color: Green
Season of Interest: Late winter/early spring.
Bloom time: Spring
Features: Evergreen, shade garden, rabbit-resistant, cold-tolerant, deer-resistant, pollinator-friendly, low-maintenance, cut flower
Uses: Accent, edging, border plant, cut flower garden, cottage gardening, massing, pollinator garden
How to Grow
Light: Does best in part sun (4-6 hours sun) to shade (> 4 hours sun). Avoid too much sun, especially in hot and dry climates.
Water: Average water needs - water regularly until established. Moderately drought-tolerant once established.
Spacing: Minimum 2ft apart.
Fertilizing: Fertilize lightly in late winter or early spring as new growth emerges with a balanced fertilizer.
Winterizing: Not much required. In cold zones, apply a thick layer of mulch around plants in the fall to provide winter insulation. Leave foliage standing until spring.
Maintenance & pruning: Simply cut the foliage back in the spring. It may produce new seedlings in spring, so pull them as desired or transplant them to other areas of the garden. Cut spent flowers to promote foliage growth.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.