Lenten Rose, Christmas Rose (Helleborus )

Features

A wonderful change from the typical blooming plants available in the winter season. Helleborus beautiful glossy foliage and charming, rose-like flowers are a breath of spring. Helleborus originate in Asia and Europe and history is rich with stories and legends surrounding this plant. Can be grown as a perennial garden plant in most regions. Plant in spring once the ground has thawed and risk of frost has passed.

Uses

An excellent holiday gift plant or grouped with Poinsettias on a holiday buffet table. Thrives in cool conditions so it won't mind drafty locations. If planted outdoors in the spring it does beautifully in shady borders, woodland gardens and rock gardens.

Plant Feed

Fertilize monthly for best display.

Watering

Water weekly during active growth.

Soil

All-purpose commercial potting mix.

Planting Instructions

If the plant was purchased in a pot, then it is probably already in a quality potting soil and requires little more than watering and grooming for a while.

If potting a flowering plant to bring indoors or to give as a gift plant, start with a good quality, commercial potting soil. These are usually lighter in weight than topsoil, sterile and pest-free. Many are available with a mild starter fertilizer in the mix.

Select a container with a drainage hole or be prepared to drill holes for drainage if there are none.

Prepare the container by filling with potting soil up to 2” (5cm) from the rim of the planter. Make a small hole in the soil slightly larger than the root ball either by hand or using a trowel. Insert the plant into the hole and press soil firmly around the roots and just covering the root ball. When all the plants are potted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and give plants a good start. Place plant in bright location for best performance.

Repot every 2 years in the same container or in a container slightly larger than the diameter of the roots.

Watering Instructions

Most potted flowering plants prefer consistently moist but well-drained soil. If the soil gets too dry the blooms can wilt and they may not recover. Check the soil moisture with your finger. If the top 2-4” (5-10cm) of soil is dry, or plants are wilted, it is time to water.

Apply water at the soil level if possible to avoid wetting the foliage. Water the entire soil area until water runs out the base of the pot. This indicates that the soil is thoroughly wet.

Fertilizing Instructions

Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic. Determine which application method is best for the situation and select a product with a nutritional balance designed for foliage plants.

Too much fertilizer can damage plants so it’s important to follow the package directions to determine how much, and how often, to feed plants.

Slow-release fertilizers are an especially good, care-free choice for container plants. Follow the product directions for proper timing and application rates.

Pruning Instructions

Remove the flowers as they fade. This keeps the plant looking tidy and may encourage more blooms depending on the type of plant. After flowering many blooming plants make attractive houseplants. Be sure to trim the foliage to maintain the desired size and shape. Occasional trimming encourages the plant to develop more side-shoots and flowers, and reduces the demand for the plant to develop a larger root system. This is important since the roots are in a confined space.

Some plants will re-bloom on their own, but others may have very specific day-length or temperature requirements to flower again. A bit of research may be necessary to determine what is needed to encourage future blooming. Some plants, such as bulbs or perennials, can be turned into wonderful garden additions after the flowers have been enjoyed indoors.