Helleborus orientalis - Lenten Rose
Helleborus orientalis is the botanical name of the very popular, early blooming shade perennial more commonly known as the Lenten Rose. Lenten Roses are very hardy and grow in zones 4-9. They get their name because many selections bloom during the Easter celebration of Lent (depending on how late Easter is!). We are already seeing a few starting to flower and can last right into April. And there are many different flower colors available on the gardening market today! When they are not in bloom they remain as a lush evergreen ground cover throughout the year. They prefer shade to partial shade, are excellent for naturalizing and grow in most soil types and prove to be extremely low on the deer browse list! (Don’t forget the niger species as well for December/January flowers!)