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Ranunculaceae
Hellebore (Lenten Rose)
Helleborus
Serenity, peace, tranquility, scandal.
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus
- Helleborus
- Native to
- Europe, Western Asia
- Bloom season
- Late Winter, Early Spring
- Type
- herbaceous perennial
- Height
- 30–60 cm
- Sunlight
- Partial to full shade
- Soil
- Rich, moist, well-drained, alkaline
- Water
- Regular
- Hardiness
- 4–9
- Lifespan
- Perennial; long-lived
Did you know
- Hellebores are some of the earliest flowers of the year, often blooming through snow in late winter — hence 'Christmas rose' (H. niger) and 'Lenten rose' (H. orientalis).
- What appear to be petals are actually sepals; the true petals are reduced to nectar cups inside the flower.
- All parts contain toxic glycosides — hellebore was used by ancient Greeks as both a poison and a treatment for madness.
- Hellebore flowers are nodding (downward-facing) and can persist on the plant for two months or more.
- The genus name Helleborus comes from Greek 'helein' (to injure) and 'bora' (food) — 'food that injures.'