Hellebore or Christmas rose: flowering, cultivation, advice

Discovering the Christmas rose

From the Ranunculaceae family, the hellebore is a perennial evergreen plant that measures from 30 to 80 cm, depending on the varieties. What is remarkable about this plant are its cup-shaped flowers, which can be green or almost black, but also white, pale pink, purple.

Some can even be two-tone, whether in the form of dots or stripes.

The advantages of these flowers are that they are honey-producing, which is not negligible for insects during the bad season, and that they last a long time. As for the foliage, it is more or less dark green and forms a compact tuft from which emerge the stems on which the flowers develop. It is an outdoor plant that can be temporarily grown indoors.

Origin and history

The hellebore is native to several regions of Europe and Asia. If it is so closely linked to Christmas, it is not only because it flowers in winter, but also because of the legend that accompanies it. According to this legend, this flower grew as a result of the tears of a shepherdess who, having no gift to offer for the birth of Jesus, cried and the hellebore was born. For this reason, it symbolizes nativity and purity.

Hellebore identity and cultivation sheet

Planting a hellebore

Where to plant a Christmas rose?

Whether you want to create a bed or border with Christmas roses or whether you want to grow them in a pot or planter, certain criteria must be respected to ensure their flowering.

Exposure

The Christmas rose is a plant that has a very marked preference for locations in shade or partial shade, and protected from cold winds. It is therefore important to avoid installing it in direct sunlight. For example, you can install it under a deciduous tree. This will allow it to be protected from the sun in summer and to benefit from the light in winter.

If you choose to keep it indoors while it is flowering, find a semi-shaded location for the pot and be sure to keep it away from heat sources.

Ground

When it comes to soil, what the hellebore requires is that it be loose, rich, humus-rich and well-drained, because it does not like waterlogged soils. Furthermore, he prefers acid-prone soils.

When to plant a hellebore?

If you want to plant a Christmas rose, choose planting in autumn, around November, but avoid periods of frost. You can also plant it in spring.

How to plant a Christmas rose?

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Start by soaking the root ball in room temperature water to moisten the roots.
2. Prepare a sufficiently large hole, approximately 2 or 3 times larger than the root ball.
3. Place gravel or clay balls to create a drainage bed.
4. Install your plant in the hole.
5. Fill the hole with soil. You can enrich your soil with potting soil for flowering plants, compost or perfectly decomposed manure.
6. Tamp lightly.
7. Carry out copious watering.

If you want to plant several plants, space them about 30 cm apart.

To plant a hellebore in a pot, use the same material, but fill the pot with a mixture of potting soil, sand and compost.

Caring for hellebores

It is an easy plant to grow. The few maintenance steps that we suggest will allow you to keep your hellebores even more beautiful for many years.

• As the flowers fade, remove them. This will stimulate the appearance of new flower buds. Also remove any wilted, stained or wilted leaves.
• If the weather is dry, water. Even though summer is the rest period for this plant, do not neglect to water it while ensuring that the water does not stagnate.
• To keep the soil cool and moist in summer, Mulch the base of your plant.
• At the end of summer, nourish the soil by placing a layer of crushed horn or compost at the base of the plant.

Christmas roses bloom

Once your Christmas rose is planted, you will have to be patient, because you have to count about 2 years before being able to enjoy its first flowering winter. In fact, it sometimes takes a long time to settle down.

Caring for a hellebore grown in a pot

Here are some tips that will help you keep it healthy:

• Choose a pot large enough to encourage development of its rhizomatous root system. If you buy your Christmas rose in a pot, change it quickly and don’t hesitate to get one 3 to 4 times larger than the original one.
• Carry out regular watering to always keep the root ball moist, but not soggy. If you notice leaves drooping, your plant is thirsty.
• Hellebore grown in pots will need regular fertilizer. Indeed, the substrate tends to become depleted quickly, to meet the needs of the hellebore, it will be necessary to provide it with new nutrients, especially before and during winter.

Multiplication of the Christmas rose

Two techniques allow the multiplication of this plant:

1. Division of the tuft : when the plant is well established, it is possible to divide the clump in spring, just after flowering. But be careful to act with caution, because the rhizomes are very brittle. Even if division is difficult, it allows the plant to regenerate.
2. Sowing : you can also collect the seeds and sow them in place or in a pot under cover. The downside is that you will have to wait at least 3 years before your new plants give you flowers.

The different varieties of hellebore

There are many varieties of hellebores. Not to mention making a collection of hellebores, if you have different varieties, this allows you to multiply the colors, shapes and flowering periods. The most common varieties are as follows.

• The Niger hellebore, the most common commercially, flowers from November to March and resists up to -30°C, but does not exceed 30 cm in height. It is the true Christmas rose. ‘Christmas Carol’ is the most widespread with its white flowers.
• Oriental hellebore also known as the Lenten Rose. Flowers can be pink, white, black, etc. depending on the varieties.
• The fetid hellebore or Griffinfoot.
• The Corsican hellebore.