Lenten-rose

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Helleborus
Species: Helleborus orientalis

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Common Names by Region

Global: Lenten-rose
Italy: Rosa di Quaresima
Germany: Oster-Rose

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Description

• Growth Habit: Clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with an evergreen, basal rosette of leaves.
• Size: Typically forms clumps about 12–18 inches in diameter and reaches a similar height.
• Leaves: Evergreen, palmate-lobed leaves with a leathery texture and a rich deep-green hue.
• Flowers:
  • Nodding, cup-shaped blooms composed of petaloid sepals.
  • Flower colors vary from creamy white and soft green to pale purple.
  • Blooms appear in late winter to early spring and are accented by a central cluster of numerous stamens.

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Known Range

• Native Range: Southeastern Europe and Western Asia.
• Cultivated Range: Widely grown in temperate gardens across Europe, North America, and other regions favoring cool to mild climates, especially in woodland and shade gardens.

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Care Requirements

• Light: Prefers partial to full shade; benefits from morning sun while needing protection from harsh afternoon light.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist (but well-drained); avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
• Soil: Thrives in rich, humus-filled, well-draining soils with a slightly alkaline to neutral pH.
• Humidity: Adapts well to moderate humidity under typical garden conditions.
• Temperature: Best suited to cool to mild climates; hardy in temperate zones though may require some frost protection in severe winters.
• Propagation:
  • Primarily propagated by dividing established clumps in early spring or autumn.
  • Seed propagation is possible, though division is the more common method for maintaining vigor.
• Common Pests/Diseases: Generally pest-resistant; may occasionally encounter issues such as leaf spot or crown rot if grown in overly damp conditions.

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Additional Notes

• Special Features:
  • As one of the earliest bloomers, its elegant, nodding flowers provide a striking display at the end of winter and into early spring.
  • Its evergreen foliage offers year-round structure and interest in shaded or woodland garden settings.
• Maintenance Level: Low to moderate; requires minimal fertilization and periodic division to rejuvenate clumps and sustain flowering performance.