Hellebores: The Cold-Climate Wonder Plant You Need to Know About
I’m often asked, besides peonies, what other perennials are good investments for cold-climate growers?
If I had to choose just one other plant, besides peonies, it would be Hellebore (Helleborus hybrids), also known as Lenten Rose.
You might remember the criteria I use when considering perennials:
Drought-tolerant
Low-maintenance
Prolific
Proven market value
Little to no division required
Bonus points for plants that spread or multiply (like peonies, which can be divided to increase stock or for sales), and that don’t require staking or extra support.
And guess what? Hellebore checks all of these boxes.
But here’s the real magic of this plant: it’s EARLY. Like, pre-Mother’s Day early. Sometimes, it’s blooming while there’s still snow on the ground — without a hoop house!
Now, that’s what I call a cold-climate miracle.
What Are the Best Hellebore Varieties for Cut Flowers?
When selecting hellebores for cut flowers, focus on varieties with stems that are at least 15” long. Florists tend to prefer stems with flowers that face upward or outward.
Hybrids (unlike the more common orientalis you typically find at garden centers) are more vigorous and prolific, which makes them an excellent choice for growers looking to maximize profitability. The earlier they bloom, the quicker you can see a return on your investment.
Some varieties to look out for are:
Helleborus Ice N' Roses® series
HGC® Winter Ballet series
Honeymoon® series
Wedding Party® series
Choose colors and varieties based on your market’s preferences, and you’ll have a solid foundation for success.
Pro tip: You can also grab potted plants from your local nursery. An established plant (rather than a tiny plug) will give you harvestable stems right away. By using them in an arrangement, you can recoup the cost immediately. Plus, the larger the starter plant, the sooner you'll start harvesting — it’s a slower way to grow your collection, but perfect for beginners.
How to Plant Hellebores
Unlike most cut flowers, hellebores actually prefer part shade and cool conditions — making them a great addition to those tricky corners of your farm or homestead that most plants don’t love.
Plant them in well-drained, fertile soil, working in some compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
Space them 12-18” apart, though I prefer 18” to allow for self-seeding and to ensure good airflow.
For my first hellebore patch, I planted them outside my high tunnel, near the east-facing endwall, close to a hedgerow. This spot provided plenty of shade and kept the soil cool during the warmer months.
How Much Maintenance Do Hellebores Need?
Hellebores are low-maintenance. I trim back any browned or damaged foliage in early spring. Sometimes I miss this task, and they still produce plenty of stems. The beds might not look as tidy, but the plants still thrive.
To keep them performing their best, give them a side-dressing of compost in early spring. This will also act as a mulch, keeping the roots cool (especially helpful if you’re in a warmer location).
Hellebore are relatively pest and disease free. Watch for slugs if they’re a problem in your area, and treat with Diatomaceous earth or a product like Sluggo if needed, following manufacturer’s instructions.
How Many Stems Can You Expect Per Plant?
In the second year, expect a small harvest of 3-5 stems per plant. After that, each plant will produce 10-15 stems per year. Just make sure you leave enough foliage to nourish the plant for the following season.
Pro tip: Ice N' Roses® Marble has attractive foliage that can be harvested later in the season for design work. So, you’re effectively getting two crops from one plant — double the value!
When Do You Harvest Hellebores?
This is where things get a little tricky.
If you’re harvesting hellebores early in the season — say, for Easter, Passover, or possibly Mother’s Day — you’ll need to do some extra post-harvest handling.
But, because hellebores bloom so early, I’m willing to deal with their diva demands (because they’re worth it).
Here’s the process:
Harvest: Cut your stems with a sharp knife (preferred) or very sharp snips (you don’t want to crush those tender stems). Remove most of the foliage.
Condition: Use a sharp knife to make a slit at least one inch up the stem. This increases the surface area for water uptake.
Boil: Dip the bottom inch of the stems into boiling water for about 30 seconds (an electric kettle works great for this).
Rest: Place your stems in a short bucket or vase with deep water — up to the flower head, but without submerging the flower or foliage. Let them rest in a cool, dark place or your cooler for a few hours or overnight.
After conditioning, your hellebores can last up to 10+ days in a vase.
Once seedpods have started to form on the plant, you can harvest stems freely without any extra conditioning steps.
What’s the Secret to Extended Season?
You can extend your hellebore season by planting a few in a shady spot inside your high tunnel. This allows you to get extra-early blooms and "succession" the bloom season, giving you a wider window to sell them.
Where Can You Buy Hellebores?
Here are some wholesale and retail sources to get your hands on hellebores:
Wholesale: North Creek Nurseries, Farmer Bailey, Northwest Garden Nursery, K. Van Bourgondien, DeVroomen Garden Products
Retail: Bluestone Perennials, Breck’s Bulbs, White Flower Farm, and local garden centers
Note: It’s unlawful to propagate patented plants — so please be mindful.