When Do Hellebores Bloom?
Hellebores bloom sooner than most other perennials! They’re cool-weather lovers that form nodding, cup-shaped blossoms despite recurring frosts. Give them some extra care while they bloom so they look their best. Let’s dive into the world of hellebores alongside seasoned grower Jerad Bryant.
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Hellebores are unlikely additions to the ornamental garden. They have leaves without blossoms for most of the year and grow slower than other fleshy perennials. They, however, bloom spectacularly in a way unlike any other plant species.
As days lengthen in late winter and early spring, hellebore blossoms emerge from underground stems that unfurl above the ground. New varieties have upstanding flowers, while the classic cultivars have ones that bend over, so you have to turn them up to gaze into them.
No matter which variety you choose, you’ll be happy to know it’ll bloom alongside other winter lovers like camellias, tulips, and daffodils. Your neighbors will ask how your garden looks so good in the middle of winter! Your response should be, “Plant more hellebores!” Let’s explore when exactly hellebores bloom.
The Short Answer
Hellebores, perennials in the Helleborus genus, bloom in late winter and early spring after the days begin lengthening and warming. Some types bloom on old growth, while others push out fresh stems with flower buds.
The exact days or weeks the blooming period lands on are subject to change based on your local climate, your garden, and the condition of your hellebores. Growers with mild winters will see flowers appear in fall or winter, while cold-climate gardeners may not see them appear until early spring.
The Long Answer
When to expect hellebore blooms depends on a few factors. We’ll discuss each so you know everything that affects hellebore bloom periods. As you grow them year after year, you’ll learn to predict when they’ll emerge from the cold soil.
Climate Sensitivities
Hellebores originate from Eurasia and northern Africa; they sprout beneath taller trees and shrubs in the shade. Their dark, green leaves capture filtered sunlight and convert it into energy. In their native range, these perennials grow with little light, consistent moisture, and fertile soil.
Because North America is far from Eurasia, you may notice them blooming at different times each year. They sense growing changes like day lengths, nightly temperatures, and sunlight. As they shift, the plants begin forming flower buds on elongating stems.
Although these plants bloom in late winter or early spring, the timing varies depending on what part of the world you live in. Growers in the Southern Hemisphere experience winter from June to September, while those of us in the Northern Hemisphere have it from December through March.
Although North American growers see hellebores flowering in December and January, Southern Hemisphere gardeners won’t see them sprout until July and August. Freezing winters can prevent blooms from forming for a few weeks, so practice patience if you don’t see any on your specimen.
Seedlings Need Time
Whereas fall transplants may bloom their first year, new seedlings need at least a year or two of growth before they can bloom. Transplant mature, potted specimens during fall or spring the year you buy them, but let freshly germinated hellebore seedlings sit for a year until they have sufficient roots and leaves.
Seedlings are ready for transplanting after their roots begin poking out of the drainage holes of their pot. They’ll have three or more stems above ground and look perky, healthy, and happy. Your seedlings will most likely bloom after a year in a container and a year in the ground.
It’s best to transplant them during fall or spring while the weather is cool and moisture is abundant. Avoid transplanting if hard frosts are present, as they can hurt these perennials while they adapt to their new environment. If transplanting during spring, wait until the plants finish flowering before you start the transition.
Floral Maintenance
Hellebores are evergreen or deciduous, and each form flowers differently. Evergreen species form flowering buds on last year’s stems, while deciduous and hybrid species bloom on new stems without any leaves.
To create the most impactful look, trim deciduous and hybrid types during winter to make room for the blooms. The leaves die over many weeks while the flowers bloom, but they turn yellow, brown, and ugly before they fall off. Trim them first to help the flowers stand out in the landscape.
Evergreens are different, and they require little pruning. They sprout new blossoms on stems that grew during summer. After blooming and forming seeds, the flowers fall off, and the stems die to the ground. As they die, new ones emerge with flower buds. Remove dead stems from evergreen types; otherwise, it’s best to let them thrive on their own!
How to Bring Blooms Indoors
Because hellebore flowers often nod downwards, it’s difficult to enjoy looking at them unless you can get close and personal with the plant. One easy way to do this is with an open-face bowl or dish. Fill it with water, then place cut blooms on the surface. They’ll float and drink water while you watch them swirl around the bowl.
The open-saucer method is short lasting. For longer-lasting cut flowers, try collecting them with stems attached and place them in a vase. Mix a quart of water with two tablespoons of ethyl alcohol, then place the cut stems in the solution. The longest-lasting blossoms have seed pods already forming inside them, so aim to use those instead of fresh blooms.
Cut hellebore stems last for two weeks or longer, depending on how warm your house is. Hot drafts can cause petals to drop prematurely from the flowers. Keep their stems well watered, and place them in a semi-warm location away from heaters.
What Happens After Flowering?
Flowers exist to make seeds! They’re mechanisms for reproduction. If you leave the spent flowers on the stems you’ll see seed pods form in their centers. The pods swell with ripening seeds until they open up in summer. The seeds drop below and germinate as moisture and cool temperatures arrive during the fall.
After hellebores bloom and ripen their seeds, you may collect these seeds and sow them where you’d like, or let them grow beneath your existing hellebores. They’ll mature, form flowers, and eventually spread seeds of their own. After many years, you’ll have dozens of volunteer plants throughout your garden!
Hellebores are winter hardy from USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9, depending on their species. Always plant types that will excel in your climate to avoid heartache down the road. Hellebores that prefer your garden are more likely to reproduce and less likely to suffer than non-hardy types.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will hellebores bloom?
Hellebores will bloom for at least two weeks, although they often have flowers for much longer. I’ve had specimens with blooms in my garden for four months! Indoors as cut flowers, they’ll last two weeks or longer.
What month do hellebores bloom?
In North America, gardeners can expect to see hellebore flowers starting in December. Extremely chilly zones will have blossoms later, around February or March. They go by “Christmas” and “lenten rose” because they often bloom during the holidays.
How often do hellebores bloom?
These fleshy perennials bloom once during the year, from late winter through spring. Some plants may grow confused and throw up a flower or two in the fall, however, this is rare. Expect to see hellebore flowers once in the year during the winter months.
