Helleborus for Winter Enjoyment

If you’re wanting something unique in your landscape for winter interest then Helleborus could be the right plant for you. It’s an evergreen, shade-loving perennial that is deer resistant and doesn’t require a lot of attention. Beautiful, long-lasting, nodding flowers in shades of white, cream, pink, rose, red or maroon, often with contrasting spots, will provide your garden with bloom from early winter until May.

February is a great month to shop for Helleborus, as this is the time of year when many varieties are in bloom. This enables you to pick the plant that is just right for your landscape.

 

You’re probably thinking “it’s just too cold and wintery to be purchasing perennials during this time of the year.” No need to worry about that as Helleborus make wonderful houseplants during the winter months. Just put them in a basket and you will have something colorful and cheery to look at indoors during the drab winter months. You can plant your Helleborus in the garden during spring and enjoy all of its wonderful qualities for the rest of the year (and can look forward to winter bloom in your garden later on in the season). If you feel you don’t want a houseplant, feel free to plant your Helleborus in the garden now; it’s safe to plant during the cold season as long as the ground is not frozen. You do need to remember to pay attention to water requirements and it would be a good idea to put mulch around your plant for winter protection.

Helleborus is also a great plant to use in outdoor container gardens during the winter months. If you have a shaded front porch you can easily make an eye-catching display at your front door entrance. What a happy feeling it is to see something blooming in winter on your front porch when you leave and enter your home! Match it up with evergreen perennial ferns, coral bells, ivy or any evergreen shade perennial and you can create an eye-catching display for the cold season.

So if you’re shopping for yourself or need a special gift for someone during the winter, think Helleborus!

Stay Warm!
Mary Ann
Fairview Greenhouses & Garden Center