The magical blooms of the Christmas rose are the star of the winter garden

The pure white flowers of Helleborus niger push up from the cold ground just as all the trees above have become barren.

Helleborus niger or the Christmas rose is an amazing winter blooming plant. Photo by Doug Oster Tribune-Review

The plant is commonly called the Christmas rose for its late bloom time and it’s one of my favorite plants. This hellebore is another season extending plant that would be mildly interesting in July, but is the star of the garden in December. The flowers are almost like plastic when touched and can take the coldest temperatures. They will be buried in snow, sitting and waiting patiently for thaw. It’s usually in late January and when it happens the honey bees will find the blooms as they are one of the only sources for pollen and nectar.

The foliage is deep green with serrated edges and sticks around all year.

Lately the plant has come into vogue as a holiday gift sold along side poinsettias and amaryllis. Even though it’s one of the hardiest perennials, it might be best to grow it inside until the spring. These hellebores have been forced to bloom in a greenhouse and it would be quite shocking for the plant to go outside mid-winter. They need to kept on the dry side too, don’t kill them with kindness.

I do ponder finding some forced hellebores after the holiday and wonder if I could use a cold frame or my unheated greenhouse to overwinter them. I’m under a strict “no more plants inside” from the boss, but have been known to sneak one or two in successfully without being caught. If I find some, I’m going to try them both ways as I can always use more of this wonderful plant in the garden.