HELLEBORE

Family RANUNCULACEAE
Helleborus species
Perennial

A race of plants native to parts of Europe and western Asia. the foliage is deeply divided and of varying widths, according to the species.

The familiar Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger var.) has large flowers of white, sometimes flushed with purple, on nine-inch stalks, and three or four inches across.
It has a smaller form in Helleborus var. angustifolius.
Its var. praecox flowers in September.
Helleborus viridis has apple-green flowers and the Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis) has flowers similar in size to those of Helleborus niger, but varying in colour from purple and plum shades to purplish-pink, blush and pure or spotted white.
Helleborus foetidus, called the Stinking Hellebore from the unpleasant odour of its green and purple flowers, is a native.

These fascinating plants will thrive in any good garden soil in partial shade where sheltering evergreens may protect their blossoms from damage in wintry weather; the presence of leaf mould in the soil is beneficial.

Propagate by division of the roots in early autumn or in spring.

The flowering season is in autumn and winter.

Helleborus – Christmas Rose, Lenten Rose.
Hardy Perennial.
A foot to eighteen inches.
Flowers white, purple, pink and spotted, December to April.

The “Christmas” Rose family consists of four or five varieties of Helleborus niger-angustifolius, major and maximus or altiflius. These have thick succulent stems, dark green foliage and large flowers, pure white or slightly tinged with rose, with a tuft of golden anthers in the middle of the cup.
The flowers possess a distinctive and most delicate scent.
The plants begin to bloom, in favourable conditions, in December, and remain in flower, though probably storm-beaten, through January.
Though they are amongst the hardiest things in the vegetable world, their petals and anthers are not proof against constant thaws and freezings, and the splash of mud from the soil; and to obtain clean and unspoiled flowers hand-glasses or some such form of protection should be placed over the plants; even a rough wooden shelter with panes of glass laid on the top will make all the difference to the blooms.

It must be borne in mind that Christmas Roses are not “everybody’s flowers”, they have strong likes and dislikes and it is almost useless to try to grow them against their will.
A deep strong soil with plenty of moisture suits them best; they may be partially shaded, and must never suffer from drought at any time of the year. When once established, they should be disturbed as little as possible; a light top-dressing should be scattered among the crowns before growth begins in the winter.
During hot weather in the summer they may have a few doses of weak liquid manure. Propagation is by division of the roots; a sharp knife should be used, and the operation performed in autumn, before there are signs of the plant starting into growth.

The “Lenten Roses” are more numerous in variety and easier to grow than the Niger family.

They flower between February and April, and require the same treatment as the earlier race.
Their colouring is, as a rule, somewhat sad and low in tone – dull purples and leaf-greens predominating.

There are now many hybrid and named kinds; the following are among the best of the older “Oriental” kinds:

Helleborus Abchasicus, yellowish white.
Helleborus atro-rubens, reddish purple.
Helleborus Colchicus, plum-coloured.
Helleborus punctatus, spotted purple.
Helleborus viridis, green.

For the Beethovens, Bismarcks, Gladstones and Cassandras of the new raisers, and their successors in public favour, the catalogues of the current season must be consulted.