Lenten Rose Helleborus orientalis

Lenten rose is a winter-blooming, broadleaf evergreen, clumping perennial in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family and native to Asia Minor and Eurasia. The scientific name comes from the Greek words helein, meaning injures, and bora, meaning food, referring to the toxic properties when the plant is eaten. The specific name niger, meaning black, refers to the color of the roots.

Lenten rose is easy to grow, requiring only a shady location and well-drained, moist soil with a neutral to alkaline pH. Growing 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, it will do best where it receives winter sunlight but is protected from the wind. It is intolerant of bright winter sun and high temperatures but is resistant to damage by deer browsing. 

This beautiful harbinger of spring has interesting, nodding flowers and large, dark green leaves. While there are numerous hybrid selections and species available, they are often difficult to distinguish and are misidentified in the trade.  

Use this plant in a border front, on patios, in containers, or other protected, shady spots, such as a woodland garden. It is an excellent choice for a late winter blooming display. 

Quick ID Hints:

• Flowers nodding, petaloid sepals
• Short plant with stiff, large, evergreen leaves 
• Leaves are palmately divided into many leaflets
• Flower center of numerous stamens outlined by tubular nectaries, or fleshy, beaked capsules

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Fungal diseases can be a problem. The leaves and roots are poisonous.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

More information on Helleborus.