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Name: hellebores, winter rose, Helleborus orientalis species, hybrids and varieties.
Height: around 50cm when in flower and about 60cm wide.
Foliage: evergreen.
Climate: cold temperate, warm temperate.
Soil: prefers deep, well-drained soil, but is adaptable to most soil types except wet clay or really sandy soils.
Position: light shade.
Flowering: various flower colours, from yellow and white through to dark purple. Hellebore flowers in winter.
Feeding: feed with a balanced, complete fertiliser in late autumn.
Watering: occasional water in summer.
Hellebore is a perennial plant that holds its foliage all year. Flower stems arise from the centre of the plant in late autumn and early winter to provide flowers for the winter months. The flowers are cup-shaped and semi-pendulous on the stalks, and there can be dozens at a time.
Breeding has produced a stunning array of flower forms and colours, from pure white through to almost completely black. Some flowers are spotted or striped, and others have different-coloured edges. Flowers also come in the original five-petalled form, while other varieties have masses of petals.
Because hellebore flowers in winter, it is a great addition to any garden. Use it to add life to a garden area that is otherwise having a winter rest. The flowers can also be cut and brought inside for a vase.
Hellebore really doesn’t take much work. Mulch it in the summer months to keep the roots cool. The plant can be fed with a complete garden fertiliser in late autumn to give it a boost for the winter flowers.
You can remove very old leaves that have become ratty by taking them off very close to the ground. Do this in winter when the newer leaves have already emerged.
Hellebore is rarely troubled by pests or diseases. It is occasionally attacked by aphids, so keep your eye out for these and spray with a garden insecticide if they occur. Make sure you spray the underside of the leaves too, as these pests are often found there.
If grown in too sunny a spot, the leaves can become scorched. In this case, it will be time to relocate the plant to a spot out of summer sun. Do this in late autumn or winter.
As hellebore is an herbaceous perennial, it will form large clumps over time. These can be dug up and divided in late autumn to provide new plants.
Hellebore can be grown from seed, but the new plants may have different flowers to the ones you propagate from.
Salvia: a range of colours and sizes to suit any garden.
Peonies: amazing large and showy flowers in the spring.
Fuchsias: pinks and purples are a feature of these flowers, which look like little ballerinas.
Check out our huge range of plants now and get your garden growing.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
