Plant Type

Ground cover, Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Pink, White

 

Flower Season

Winter, Spring

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Half, Shade

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Slow

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

Poisonous

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Foundation, Patio

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Lenten rose is a clump-forming, late winter-blooming perennial which typically grows 12 to 18 inches tall with an equal spread. It features large, cup-shaped, rose-like, (usually) nodding flowers with center crowns of conspicuously contrasting yellow stamens. Flowers usually appear in late winter to early spring, in clusters on thick stems rising above the foliage. Flower color is extremely variable, ranging from white to pink to light rose-purple, frequently with interior spotting. Glossy green leaves are palmate, serrate, and sometimes evergreen (though usually we are cold enough that it is deciduous). Leaves, stems and roots are poisonous. Use as an understory plant, sheltered by high canopied shrubs or trees. Useful in dry shade locations. There is a lovely little planting at the Gilgal Garden, and is a wonderful reason to visit the garden in early April.

Best grown in organically rich, loamy, well-drained soils in part to full shade, though with good soil they will grow in part sun, as long as they receive protection from mid-day sun during the summer months. Locate plants in areas protected from cold winter winds. Under the right conditions, clumps establish fairly quickly. New plants can be obtained from division of the clumps (best in spring) and from seedlings which grow up around the plants as a result of self seeding, though it does not aggressively reseed in our climate. Visit hellebores.org for more information.