Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose)

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Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose) is a perennial variety especially well suited to borders.

Helleborus orientalis, the Lenten rose, brings nodding, saucer-shaped flowers to shady corners from February to April, when little else is in bloom, and gives early bees a welcome source of nectar. Its glossy, leathery, semi-evergreen leaves make handsome ground cover in dappled shade beneath deciduous trees and shrubs.

A mix of colours: not guaranteed

Our Lenten roses are seed-raised hybrids, so every plant is unique. Flowers range from white and blush pink to deep red and dark plum, often speckled or freckled towards the centre. We can't choose or guarantee the flower colour of any plant. Packs of 3 or 6 are likely to give a mix of shades, but we can't promise different colours. The photos show examples from the range, not the exact plant you'll receive.

What you'll receive

Dormant bare roots, not in flower, ready to plant from autumn to spring. Bare roots can take a season to settle, so flowering may be light in the first spring and improves as the clump establishes.

  • Flowers: February to April
  • Height and spread: about 45cm when established
  • Position: partial to light shade
  • Soil: fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained
  • Hardiness: fully hardy
  • Foliage: semi-evergreen; may lose some leaves in a hard winter

Harmful if eaten and the sap may irritate skin, so wear gloves when handling.

Botanical name Helleborus orientalis (H. × hybridus)
Bulb size Bare root
Flower colour Mixed (white, pink, red and plum shades; not guaranteed)
Flowering February to April
Established height 45cm
Life cycle Perennial
Hardiness Fully hardy
Sunlight Partial shade
Position Shade and part-shade planting
Suitable for Borders, Pots & Containers, Woodland & Shade

Where to Plant:

Choose partial or light shade, ideally beneath deciduous trees and shrubs where winter light reaches the flowers. Lenten roses like fertile, humus-rich soil that stays moist but drains well, and they tolerate heavier and alkaline soils. Avoid waterlogged ground and hot, dry spots in full sun.

How to Plant:

Plant bare roots from October to April whenever the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Soak the roots in water for an hour, dig in plenty of leaf mould or well-rotted compost, and set the crown at soil level rather than burying it deeply. Space plants about 45cm apart, firm in gently and water well.

Aftercare:

Water in dry spells during the first year. Cut the old leaves to the ground in January or February so the new flowers show off well and leaf spot is kept down. Mulch with well-rotted organic matter each autumn. Remove seed heads after flowering unless you want self-sown seedlings, which will flower in their own mixed colours. Wear gloves: all parts are harmful if eaten and the sap can irritate skin.

Planting and Flowering Calendar

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Key Features

Packed in paper

Packed peat-free

Great for Shade

Low maintenance

Rodent resistant

Perfect for pots

Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose) - Harding & Bloom

Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose)

£9.99

£9.99

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Kind Words from Our Gardeners

Arrived quickly and well-packaged. Planted them in some pots on the patio and they all came up. Look beautiful. Thank you!

Careane Wallace

Oxfordshire, UK

The bulbs arrived beautifully packaged and you could just tell they were excellent quality. We had the most wonderful display of daffodils this spring on our patio. Simply stunning. Will definitely be ordering again

David P

Kent, UK

I ordered the mixed hyacinth collection and the scent in my garden this April was absolutely heavenly. Every single bulb produced a strong, beautiful flower and the colours were stunning together. A fantastic purchase, I'll be back for more next year!

Eleanor R

Somerset