Growing Hellebores in Utah means you are treated to some of the first blooms you will see in late winter – even if the ground is
still covered in snow!
Hellebores or Hellebore are also known as Lenten Rose because many of the varieties bloom between February and April, during the Christian season of Lent.
There are many varieties of hellebore, ranging from white to black. The most common colors have hues of pink from pale pink to dark burgundy. It surprises folks to learn there are yellow options and even a true blue variety, which is an extremely rare to find in the plant world.
We love Hellebore for landscapes because they are beautiful, offering blooms when the rest of the landscape is usually dormant, and they are long-lasting. Some varieties have even been seen blooming through May.
Along with their pretty flowers, hellebores have lush, evergreen foliage, which makes a great addition to your garden for year-round interest. Once established, these early spring flowers are quite easy to care for.
Do take note: hellebore plants are poisonous when ingested. They keep away pests, but also make sure to keep children and pets from munching on the foliage.
Planting Hellebores in Utah
We carry a large variety of Hellebore from multiple growers, most excitingly the incredible collections of Winter Jewels® and Heuger Gold® collections. You may also see this plant listed as hellebores instead of hellebore. But both spellings refer to the same plant.
However, it’s most famously known as the Lenten rose due to the fact that most varieties begin to bloom during the season of Lent. Another name for this same plant is Christmas Rose, as there are also varieties that bloom during Christmas.
No matter which name you call them, Hellebore offers an incredible variety of either single or double layers of blooms that come in many different colors, most commonly: shades of white, purple, pink, maroon, and green. Some new varieties even have yellow, orange, and even black flowers!
Fun Fact: Although they have ‘rose’ in their alternative names, hellebores aren’t related to the rose family at all.
When to Plant Hellebores in Utah
You can plant hellebores anytime of year, but between late winter and early fall is best so that the plant has time to root before the ground is frozen.
The best time to plant Hellebore is in early spring only because it is when you will find the largest selection available. If you aren’t after one of the rare varieties, you can plant Hellebore any time of year, as long as you are able to dig in the soil.
For fall planting, aim to get hellebores in the ground at least four to five weeks before the ground freezes.
First fall frosts in northern Utah typically arrive in October, with Ogden and Salt Lake City seeing reliable frost by late October or early November. But, hard freezing doesn’t usually happen until January, so even in late November, you have plenty of time to plant your new Hellebore.
Best Growing Conditions for Hellebores
Hellebores are cold-hardy through USDA zones 4 to 9, which covers the entire Wasatch Front and Cache Valley. They thrive in well-drained soil with consistent moisture.
These plants can grow to about one to two feet in height and width. Hellebores love partial shade, and do their best when they’re beneath deciduous trees that provide dappled summer sun but let winter light shine through.
Intense sunlight during the summer can stress the foliage, so we recommend avoiding placing them in south-facing or west-facing exposures without any overhead protection.
Choose Your Planting Spot
Hellebore prefers some shade and cover from intense afternoon sun, especially in the Summer.
Ideally, you would want to plant your hellebore under a deciduous tree so that it has shade in the summer but can also receive full sunlight in the winter once the overhead tree has lost its foliage.
If that’s not an option, opt for a shaded spot so they can avoid direct sunlight during the summertime. Some varieties have downward-facing blooms, some varieties have blooms that face up.
Before you plant yours, be sure to choose a spot where you will best get to enjoy the colorful blossoms based on their growth pattern.
Best Soil for Hellebore
When growing hellebore, we recommend using compost or other organic matter to amend Utah’s clay or sandy soils. Avoid fertilizer when you first plant your hellebore to steer clear of burning the tender young roots.
Dig a hole as deep as the hellebore’s pot and make sure there’s at least a foot of space between holes to give the plant space to grow.
Our soil presents a few specific considerations worth knowing. According to USU Extension, the majority of soils across the state are alkaline, with an average pH around 8.0. For most acid-loving plants, that would be a problem.
Hellebores, however, prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline pH, which puts them in a better position than many ornamentals grown here.
Heavy clay soils are also common in Northern Utah valleys. While clay retains moisture, it drains poorly and can suffocate roots if water sits too long.
Working generous amounts of compost into the planting area before you dig improves both drainage and soil structure. If your yard has compacted clay, mixing in gypsum alongside compost can help break it up further.
Growing Helleborus Plants
Place the root of the hellebore into your hole and cover it with dirt. Avoid covering the crown of the plant. Settle the soil gently around the rootball by immediately watering the plant after backfilling the hole with soil.
Hellebores will grow about 2′ in height and width, and they can be planted around taller shrubs, such as Ivory Halo Dogwood, to offer a lovely contrast of color and texture throughout the year.
Tips for Care of Hellebore Plant
As we mentioned, once they are established, hellebore are easy to maintain. They just need a little TLC to help them along. Here are some growing tips to keep in mind:
- Water the plants regularly throughout the growing season, but especially during hot summer months.
- Keep an eye out for pests or diseases and treat them accordingly.
- Remove spent foliage using sharp pruners in late fall as the new foliage starts to emerge. As they are evergreen plants, you do not want to cut off all the beautiful foliage if it’s still vibrant and healthy.
Again, you may have seen different ways of spelling Hellebore, Helleborus, Hellebores, but rest assured, they’re all the same!
Hellebores Care FAQ
Are helleborus deer resistant?
Yes, and this matters quite a bit in northern Utah.
Mule deer regularly move down from the foothills along the Wasatch Front in winter, browsing through neighborhoods when their natural food is scarce. Hellebores are toxic to deer and are very unappealing as a food source.
However, no plant is fully guaranteed against a starving deer.
Are helleborus poisonous?
Yes. Every part of the hellebore plant is toxic. This includes the leaves, stems, flowers, and roots. This applies to humans, dogs, cats, and horses. Try to keep children and pets away from established hellebore plants in your garden at all times.
Though most animals are wary of anything that could cause them harm, so they will avoid munching on these plants.
If you suspect your child ingested this plant, contact the Poison Control Center or dial 1-800-222-1222. For pets, please contact your veterinarian right away.
What happens if you touch hellebores?
The helleborus plant is poisonous when ingested and, in some people, can cause skin irritation when handled without gloves. It’s not usually serious, but it can be uncomfortable.
We recommend wearing gloves every time you prune or handle the plant without letting it touch exposed skin. But if you do touch it, wash the exposed skin thoroughly after. If irritation does not clear up on its own, consult a doctor.
Where do hellebore grow best?
Hellebores prefer partial shade and soil that drains well without drying out completely.
Northern Utah’s naturally alkaline soil is actually a reasonable match for them, since hellebore tolerates a neutral to slightly alkaline pH without much amendment.
The bigger challenge locally is clay soil, which holds water and can suffocate roots over time. Working compost into the planting area before you put hellebores in the ground improves both drainage and soil structure. Try to avoid spots where water can pool after rain or irrigation.
What do you do with hellebores when they finish flowering?
Once the blooms fade, you have two options:
- Remove spent flowers to keep the planting neat.
- Leave the seed heads in place to allow the plant to naturalize gradually, filling in shaded areas over time.
Either approach is fine. But it is important to note that some varieties of Hellebores do proffer seeds. However, most of the newer varieties available on the market are sterile and do not produce any seed.
If you aren’t sure which type you have, just keep an eye out for seedlings. You can leave them to fill in the area, or you can pull them while they are young…. yes, you can even transplant them if you pull up enough of the rootstock.
What are good companion plants for hellebores?
Plants that share their preference for shade and moderate moisture tend to work well together.
Utah strong plants like Snowdrops, daffodils, crocuses, bleeding heart, and heuchera all pair naturally with hellebores and hold up well in our harsh winters.
Native shrubs like Ivory Halo & Dogwood make strong structural companions, providing winter color while hellebores fill in the understory. Avoid pairing hellebores with acid-loving plants like azaleas or rhododendrons, since the alkalinity of their soil needs to live in the opposite direction.
Are you supposed to deadhead hellebores?
Deadheading is purely optional. It keeps your garden looking tidy but the plants will naturally grow through the old flowers and foliage.
How do you prepare hellebores for winter?
Hellebores are cold-hardy through USDA zones 4 to 9, which covers most of northern Utah, including the Wasatch Front and Cache Valley.
They don’t need to be dug up or heavily wrapped. A light layer of mulch around the base of each plant (kept clear of the crown itself) helps protect roots during periods of hard freezing.
You can leave the foliage standing through the coldest months so it can shield the crown naturally. You can also pull the mulch back gently in late winter once new growth starts to push through.
Should hellebore be cut back in the fall?
Cutting back in late winter (late February to early March) tends to work better than doing a fall cutback. Leaving the old foliage in place through winter gives the crown a layer of natural protection against freezing temperatures.
Once you start to see fresh growth emerging at the base, that’s the right time to remove last year’s leaves. If the foliage looks diseased or heavily damaged heading into fall, it’s worth removing it then to reduce the chance of fungal issues carrying over into the new season.
