Hellebore plants are a genus of flowering plants in the buttercup family. They are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa and are known for their large, showy flowers that bloom in late winter and early spring. They are also known for their evergreen foliage and low maintenance requirements, making them popular in gardens. Hellebore plants come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, purple, and yellow. They are also resistant to deer and rabbits, making them a great choice for wildlife gardens.
Planning Your Garden With Hellebores
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Hellebores are perennial plants. |
| USDA Zone | Hellebores are hardy in USDA Zones 4-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Hellebores are cold-hardy plants and can tolerate temperatures down to 25. However, they may suffer from winter burn if exposed to excessive cold and wind. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest hellebores is usually around 90 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown hellebore plant is between 12 and 24 inches in height and width. |
| Spacing requirements | Hellebores prefer well-drained soil and a location with partial shade or filtered sun. When planting, space them 12-18 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Hellebores are tolerant of partial shade, but they prefer bright, indirect light and will do best when grown in a location that receives several hours of direct sun each day. |
| Shade tolerance | Hellebores are shade tolerant plants and can grow in partial shade or full shade. They also prefer moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. |
| Water requirements | Hellebores prefer moist, well-drained soil. They should be watered regularly during the growing season, but not allowed to dry out completely. During the winter months, water should be reduced, but they should not be allowed to become completely dry. Mulching around the plants will help keep the soil moist. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing hellebores depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 is recommended. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of 1/2 cup per 10 square feet of soil. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing hellebores is 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Hellebores are Popular
People like to grow hellebores for a number of reasons. Hellebores are easy to grow, providing a long-lasting display of color and texture in the garden. They are also incredibly hardy, making them reliable and low-maintenance plants. Hellebores are also deer-resistant, making them a great choice for gardeners in areas with large deer populations. Finally, hellebores are known for their unusual beauty, with a range of unique and interesting flower shapes, colors, and patterns.
Companion Plants For Hellebores
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for hellebores include:
Common Pests For Hellebores
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow hellebores, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- snails
- thrips
- slugs
- aphids
- caterpillars
- spider mites
- mealybugs
- scale insects
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
