Hardy, shade-loving hellebores bloom even through frost

Shade gardeners - who have different standards than those blessed with sunny stretches - have elevated the shy hellebore to star status.

Called the Lenten Rose because of its early blooming, some hellebores have been known to flower as early as January in our frozen area - long before Lent.

And others put on their show in April - often after Easter but still early in these parts.

Traditionally the bell-shaped flowers nod discreetly rather than turn up like a tulip, so a gardener can easily peer inside.

Hellebore colors can be delicate and include green, usually not the favorite shade for flowers. But the drama of darker hues and dreamy color combinations flow into today's hybrids.

That ability to bloom so early also counts. The color hellebores add to the snow or frost can really cheer up winter-weary gardeners, says Gene Bush, who, with his wife, JoAn, owns Munchkin Nursery & Gardens in Depauw, Ind.

"They are as close to cast iron as you will find in a plant," said Bush, who spoke about the delicate-looking plants recently at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.

He means they are tough and easy to grow in almost any well-drained soil.

The mystery of those nodding bell-shaped flowers adds to the charm, said Grace Romero, director of research for W. Atlee Burpee.

Although scientists say the hellebore bloom is not a true flower, it looks like one and stays on the plant for three or four months, she said.

A bit of good news-bad news is that hellebores are toxic. This means deer do not like them, but gardeners must be careful that children don't eat them or even play with them because skin irritation is another possibility.

The ability to clone hellebores has improved their popularity considerably. While the odds have gotten higher, with seedlings there is no guarantee the color or shape will be the same as the parent.

Colors today range from whites and greens to pinks, yellows, fuchsias, purples, burgundy red and even a fascinating gray slate.

One goal is removing green shades from hellebores, said Bush.

"If you do see a green one and appreciate it, pick it up," he said.

A clear yellow has been a challenge for breeders, he said.

"They're doing a lot better job with the color red," said the nursery owner. "Everybody is working on it. Look for a good clean red in the near future."

And the colors mingle in appealing fashions on single flowers.

The lime green petals on Phoenix are tinged with reddish edges.

Fuchsia freckles the lighter pink Phoebe. Green and mauve share the petals on Rosy Finch.

These colorations are described as thumb prints, brush strokes and speckles.

And Bush said Ivory Prince shows another goal of breeding: The flower looks right at you, rather than nodding over as the original ones do.

The shapes of the flowers are varied, too. They might be round or star shaped, symmetrical or irregular.

Romero's favorite hellebore is the Kingston Cardinal, a dramatic burgundy red double. Semi-doubles are available, too.

Foliage is another feature that breeders are trying to improve, said Romero, so the plants can be used as ground cover.

Most hellebores are evergreen, hardy in our climate and produce seed. However, companies are trying to develop sterile plants because the flowers are larger, and some gardeners do not like dealing with seedlings that pop up near the parent plant, said Romero.

And she hopes gardeners appreciate new hellebore varieties because each plant takes a couple of years to grow from seed.

Partial shade is the best place to grow hellebores, she said.

"We grow ours at the edge of the woodland, rather than under the big trees," said Romero.

Hellebores originated in the Balkans of southeastern Europe.

These days most of the excitement surrounds the hybrids, which Romero says are often mixed with no regard to the parent species.

However, Bush talked some about a few original species.

One of his favorites is bearpaw or foetidus. Its strengths include growing well in dry shade, and despite the fact that is name translates to "stinking," it does no such thing, he promises.

While they can be planted in the spring, Romero says fall is the best time to divide older plants. Dig one up and wash off the dirt to see where you are cutting.

Fans these days are excited about dark hellebores, such as Heronswood's slate-colored Starling

"I'm not sure why anyone would want a dark shade plant," Romero said. "You want yellows and pinks and deep rose in the shade. But the dark ones attract people because they are so unusual."

Her company's catalog points out that Starling would look great against the snow.

And Bush said dark flowers are most appreciated right by the path where you can see and enjoy them.

Companion plants

Here are suggestions for hellebore companion plants from Gene Bush, owner of Munchkin Nursery & Gardens in southern Indiana.

All of these will grow in or near the hellebores' woodland or shady home. Many bloom early, but some work as ground covers.

Giant snowdrops -- Buy when they are growing, not as tubers that might not survive.

Iris reticulata -- These large flowers on short stems will multiply in your garden.

Hardy cyclamen -- Plant where they get extra warmth, such as on the sheltered side of a wall. They need drainage.

Dwarf snow trillium -- Bush says it's one of our best natives.

Species corydalis -- Plant in loose soil no more than an inch or so deep. They will seed. Bush recommends corydalis solida, George Baker and corydalis lutea.

Yellow-white corydalis -- This is a boon for your dry shade.

Double blooming bloodroot -- Flowers look like double-blooming water lilies.

Trout lilies -- Bush recommends a few varieties -- yellow, Asian and Pagoda.

Anemones - Different varieties bloom in different seasons. Bush likes anemone Pallida, anemone nemorosa Robinsonia and Vestal.

Primulas -- Several varieties like humus and good loose mulch. Try Primula vulgaris, kiosana and hybrid Tie Dye,

Lungwort -- Red Start, Majeste and Johnson's Blue lungwort all work as ground covers. Majeste is silver.

Native pachysandra -- The green leaves are highly mottled and veined. Takes longer to establish than the non-native.

Ghost fern -- A cross of Japanese painted fern and lady fern. It has a dark purple stem and frosted gray-white foliage over green reaching 2 feet.

White variegated hakone grass -- Bush says hakone grass is a well-behaved substitute for bamboo.