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Botanical name: Helleborus orientalis
Buttercup-type dangling flowers in rose, purple and white emerge in late winter and spring, one of the first flowers to come up in cool weather and what a beautiful harbinger they are; ideal for woodland gardens and shady slopes.
Other names: Lenten Rose, Winter Rose
| Hardiness zone | 4a |
|---|---|
| Flower color | rose |
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | upright spreading |
| Mature height | 20 inches |
| Spread | 18 inches |
| Light requirements | partial shade to shade |
| Moisture requirements | average to moist |
| Plant origin | import |
Oriental Hellebore features showy nodding rose cup-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems from late winter to early spring. Its glossy oval compound leaves remain bluish-green in color throughout the year. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Oriental Hellebore is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Oriental Hellebore is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Mass Planting, Rock/Alpine Gardens, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
Oriental Hellebore will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 14 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years.
This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This species is not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by division.
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