Growing Hellebores in December: Tips and Advice for Winter Planting

Hellebores, often referred to as the “Christmas Rose” or “Lenten Rose,” are beloved for their ability to bloom in the coldest months of the year, brightening up the garden with their delicate, nodding flowers even in the heart of winter. These hardy perennials thrive in cool weather and are an excellent choice for December planting. Whether you’re planting new hellebores or dividing existing ones, December is a perfect time to get these stunning plants into the ground while they are dormant, ensuring healthy growth and blooms in the late winter and early spring.

In this guide, we’ll cover the steps for planting hellebores in December, including choosing the right varieties, soil preparation, winter care, and tips for ensuring these resilient beauties thrive in your garden year after year.

Why Plant Hellebores in December?

Hellebores are incredibly hardy and can tolerate frost, making them an ideal choice for planting in December. Planting hellebores in the winter gives them time to establish their roots while the plant is dormant, preparing them to bloom beautifully as early as February or March, when little else is flowering in the garden.

By planting hellebores in December, you’ll enjoy one of the earliest blooms of the season, adding color and life to your garden when most plants are still in their winter slumber.

Benefits of Planting Hellebores in December:

1. Cold Hardiness: Hellebores are highly frost-tolerant and can survive and thrive in cold temperatures, making them perfect for winter planting.
2. Early Bloom: Planting in December allows the plant to establish roots in time for a late winter or early spring bloom.
3. Minimal Care: Once planted, hellebores require little maintenance, making them an easy addition to any garden.
4. Long-Lasting Blooms: Hellebores produce long-lasting flowers that can persist for several weeks, providing a stunning display during the bleakest months of the year.

Choosing the Right Hellebore Varieties for Winter Planting

There are many varieties of hellebores, with flowers ranging in color from pure white and soft pink to deep purples and greens. When selecting hellebores for December planting, choose varieties that are suited to your climate and garden conditions.

Popular Hellebore Varieties for Winter Planting:

• Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose): One of the earliest blooming varieties, the Christmas Rose produces large, white flowers that often appear in late winter or early spring. It’s ideal for December planting and adds a classic touch to any winter garden.
• Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose): The Lenten Rose blooms slightly later than the Christmas Rose, typically in early spring. It comes in a wide range of colors, including purples, pinks, whites, and greens. This variety is perfect for adding color to shaded garden areas.
• Helleborus x hybridus: This group of hybrid hellebores offers a diverse range of colors and forms, from single to double blooms. Hybrid hellebores are known for their hardiness and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions.
• Helleborus argutifolius (Corsican Hellebore): A robust variety with green, leathery leaves and pale green flowers, the Corsican Hellebore adds structure and interest to the garden, even in winter.

When choosing a variety, consider your garden’s light conditions and how early you’d like to see blooms. Christmas Rose varieties will bloom earlier, while Lenten Roses typically bloom slightly later in the season.

Preparing the Soil for Hellebores

Hellebores thrive in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. While they are tolerant of a range of soil types, they perform best in slightly alkaline to neutral soil (pH 6.5 to 7.5). Proper soil preparation is essential to help your hellebores establish strong roots during the winter.

Steps for Preparing the Soil:

1. Choose the Right Location: Hellebores prefer partial to full shade, making them ideal for planting under trees or in woodland garden settings. They will also tolerate dappled sunlight, but avoid areas with direct, intense sunlight, which can scorch their leaves.
2. Test the Soil: If you’re unsure of your soil’s pH, test it using a soil test kit. Hellebores prefer soil that is slightly alkaline to neutral. If your soil is too acidic, you can amend it with garden lime to raise the pH.
3. Improve Drainage: Hellebores do not tolerate waterlogged soil, so make sure your planting area has good drainage. If your garden has heavy clay or compacted soil, consider planting in raised beds or adding organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage.
4. Enrich with Organic Matter: Before planting, work in plenty of organic compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil. Hellebores benefit from nutrient-rich soil, especially when they are establishing roots.

How to Plant Hellebores in December

Once your soil is prepared, you can plant your hellebores either as bare-root plants or from containers. Hellebores are relatively easy to plant, and they will begin establishing their root systems over the winter months, even in cold weather.

Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Hellebores:

1. Dig the Hole: Dig a hole that is slightly wider and deeper than the root ball of the hellebore plant. Hellebores should be planted at the same depth they were growing in their pot or slightly deeper if planting bare-root plants.
2. Place the Plant: Place the hellebore in the hole, making sure the crown (where the roots meet the stem) is level with or just below the soil surface. If you are planting bare-root hellebores, spread the roots out gently in the hole.
3. Backfill and Firm the Soil: Fill in the hole with soil, gently firming it down around the plant to remove any air pockets. Be careful not to compact the soil too much, as hellebores prefer loose, well-drained soil.
4. Watering: Water the plant thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and encourage root establishment. Hellebores don’t need excessive water during the winter, but keep the soil moist if there is no natural rainfall.

Caring for Hellebores Through Winter

Hellebores are low-maintenance plants, but proper care during the winter can help them establish well and produce healthy blooms in the spring.

Mulching

Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant after planting. Mulching helps protect the roots from extreme cold, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. Use organic mulch such as compost, bark chips, or leaf mold, and spread it around the plant’s base, avoiding direct contact with the crown.

Watering

Hellebores are relatively drought-tolerant, but they prefer consistently moist soil, especially while they are establishing roots. During the winter, natural rainfall is usually sufficient, but if the weather is dry, water the plants lightly to keep the soil moist.

Protecting From Frost

Hellebores are highly frost-tolerant and generally don’t require extra frost protection. However, in areas with particularly harsh winters or heavy snowfall, you can protect young or newly planted hellebores by covering them with a layer of garden fleece or straw during extreme cold spells.

Pruning

In late winter or early spring, just before the new flower buds emerge, prune away any old, damaged, or dead leaves from the previous year. This helps prevent fungal diseases and allows the new blooms to shine.

Fertilizing in Early Spring

As soon as new growth appears in early spring, apply a balanced fertilizer or an organic slow-release fertilizer around the base of the plant. Hellebores are not heavy feeders, but a boost of nutrients in the spring will support strong growth and vibrant blooms.

Dividing Hellebores

Hellebores are long-lived plants that don’t need frequent division, but every 3-5 years, they can benefit from being divided to encourage healthy growth and prevent overcrowding. The best time to divide hellebores is in early autumn or after flowering in spring. Dividing hellebores also allows you to propagate new plants for other parts of your garden.

How to Divide Hellebores:

1. Dig up the mature plant carefully, making sure to lift the entire root ball.
2. Using a sharp spade or knife, divide the plant into sections, ensuring each section has at least one healthy growing point.
3. Replant the divisions in well-prepared soil and water thoroughly.

Enjoying Hellebore Blooms

Hellebores planted in December will typically begin blooming in late winter or early spring, depending on the variety and your climate. The flowers last for several weeks, and their delicate beauty is a welcome sight during the colder months when few other plants are in bloom.

To enjoy hellebores in indoor arrangements, cut the flowers just as they begin to open. They make stunning additions to bouquets and can last for days in a vase of fresh water.

Conclusion

Planting hellebores in December is a wonderful way to add early color and interest to your garden. These resilient plants thrive in cold weather and are incredibly easy to care for, making them an ideal choice for winter

planting. With proper soil preparation, winter care, and a bit of patience, your hellebores will reward you with beautiful blooms year after year, brightening your garden during the quietest months.

By following the steps in this guide, you’ll ensure your hellebores establish strong roots and produce a stunning display of flowers come late winter or early spring.

Find out more things you can grow in December here