How to Grow Great Hellebores

[@peterjohn8625]

I live in Australia and planted one about 2 years ago. I was very surprised how well it has survived our Summers.

[@TomokoAbe_]

Hellebores are absolutely beautiful. I love them. Mine has almost black flowers.

[@svwildflowerNAFO]

Great info. Thanks. I live in Juneau, AK, and hellebores do really well here. It's nice to see the variety of colors available.

[@Esaipriyan]

Absolutely brilliant , clear & crisp tutorial on Hellebores ! Thank you.

[@zuzannawisniewska4464]

Very informative video. Thanks for sharing......Fresno, CA

[@janetg1691]

Thank you, I did not know there were two types of ways to treat the different hellebore. I just bought two different kinds, so because of you I know how to care for them.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Enjoy your hellebores Janet!

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

Good to mention all the others, like Corsican holly-leaved hellebores, whch are quite different. My marbled group get very tatty my early spring, so I take them off.

[@sbaumgartner9848]

I have an incredible one in a pot that has been blooming from last December through to now and not stopping. I guess I'll have to propagate it and hope for the best. it has over 50 'flowers' on it. I bought it last spring for $5 as a scruffy looking sad specimen.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Nice!

[@patriciancube394]

Very informative video. Thanks for sharing.

[@edmey]

Thank you so much for a very informative video. Good info re both hellebores and clematis regarding times to fertilize..

[@alexfoodlover7175]

Very good advice and well presented. I would add when planting out, the roots don't seem to appreciate teasing. Survival is fine, but a long recovery period.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks for the advice.

[@jxw5]

I've got huge flowers coming out of SNOW in JANUARY in Finland

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Nicely done!

[@komusica]

wow, what are the temepratures there? I live in Norway, lot of snow and temp going until -10 or so. I was wondering if I can put this plant in garden outside or keep it indoors in + degrees. thanks

[@sallyhamilton7202]

I just wanted to let you know that someone in Saginaw Michigan has hellebores in bloom RIGHT NOW, October 20th! I saw the pictures. I will be watching mine closely and I hope they bloom!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Nice! In the ground, or in pots? I know some varieties are way earlier than others, and some can be forced with an early cool period.

[@sallyhamilton7202]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm They are planted in the ground. But we had such a crazy growing season here this year. Excessive quantities of rain and then exceptionally cool nights. We've already had a hard frost. I think conditions just must be right to make them bloom, even if it is Autumn and not early Spring.

[@donnasantamaria8317]

Thank you sooooo much for clarifying that you do not have to remove all the foliage from the thicker evergreen leafed variety. I planted my first hellebores last fall and in the spring the foliage still looked so pretty I couldn't bring myself to cut them back. One bloomed profusely and held onto beautiful light green blooms all the way past the 4th of July, and we are in Arizona zone 7B now entering into triple digit temperatures. They are planted facing east and get morning sun and afternoon shade. They have become my favorite perennial with their gorgeous leaves and flowers. Would you be so kind as to give the botanical name of this variety, please? I want to fill my shade garden with them. I love your channel!

[@ben8606]

Love your videos, great information!

[@inbloomflowersco]

Hi Jason! Thankyou for all your videos! I wanted to know if you could make a video on an easy misting system or if you can guide me to a video you think would be good?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks. I'll add it to my list of videos to make.

[@BeadingBelles]

Hi.I am sorry I missed the reason that you cut and discard the leaves from the helleborus x hybridus,would appreciate it if you could elaborate the reason for me please.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Sure. By this stage in the year, the leaves are pretty beat up and often infected with fungal leaf spot etc. Removal allows for new, fresh leaves to emerge without the pathogens being carried over from older foliage.

[@diversegardener392]

I just wish my big box store would carry these. For now, I have to order from vendors. That's a risk because of not able to actually see the product. Thank you for this video!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

My pleasure

[@PosedionsGirl]

Just discovered these beauties. I have 20 in one garden all various colours. What would be a good companion plant to go with them for colour and texture

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

There's not a lot that will bloom over the same period, but to extend the interest in the same area you could pick other shade-lovers like heuchera, ferns or epimedium

[@komusica]

Should they be planted in the garden where there is snow in winter and temp going to -15 degrees or so?

[@jeanniehall1440]

Jason i now am got 2 different HELLEBORE starting their flower stage, question, I have fire n ice white & pink showing their petals, but you mentioned giving fertilizer during this time frame. I'm in Michigan 6a, ground is frozen, should I wait a couple of months 🤔 before I do that, and if yes, what suggestion for fertilizer? I just discovered Helebore about a year ago, and fell in love with it, I now have approximately 2 dozen varying varieties. Thanks for your You Tube videos .. it certainly helps us novice gardeners ..

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Jeannie. At this point, I'd wait. The fertilizer in the cool season is to support a period of renewed growth, and if things are frozen it's won't help much. Try something with a slightly higher balance of phosphorus (the P in NPK)

[@suzetteccc]

Thanks for the tips. I was about to trim off the big lovely patterned leaves off the one I have, but I won't now because they do look good. It's going to warm up tomorrow so I'll go out then! (12/4/22)

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Suzette - yes, I love those patterned leaves of the hybrid varieties.

[@Cherryparfait41]

Any chance you’ve ever successfully divided a hellebore plant? I have a very large oriental variety that has been growing happily for over 8yrs. I hate dropping $20 on each plant.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

No, I've never done it, and I have a feeling it would kill the plant. Do you get seedlings though?

[@hamawend7729]

I divide them regularly going into November every 3-4 years and they´ve done all very well.

[@tracycrider7778]

@@hamawend7729 please leave tips!

[@hamawend7729]

@@tracycrider7778 Well all you have to do is to digg deep enough to free all roots (roots are usually deep) before the soil freezes usually at the end of November depending on where you are, divide the bulk of roots into 2-4 parts depening on how big they are so that every part has a couple of leaves, replant the parts again.

[@garyfrost8166]

How long do you leave the faded flower on . Ours stay from early to mid- summer.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Gary. About the same for me. I like to give the seeds a chance to ripen so that I can collect seedlings: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXa0qJKan96GiKM

[@garyfrost8166]

Thanks for your quick response !!

[@nanabusterd]

Do they prefer moist or well drained soil?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

More on the consistently moist side.

[@nanabusterd]

Thank you!

[@tinasurratt2780]

Thnk u🌿🍀💮🌸🏵️🌼

[@lovelight9164]

I recently bought 2 hellebore from my local garden center, my question is can I plant them into the garden now? I'm in zone 5b or should I wait until after the last frost? They were growing in a greenhouse when I bought them they are about a foot tall but I'm sure this is their first growing year.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hellebores are fine with a bit of cold, but deep freezing temperatures can be hard on them (and their flowers) so it would depend on your forecast.

[@christinele1136]

Can I grow hellebores in zone 9 in the shades? Seems like my hellebores just dont thrive. I just bought the thick leaves variety and hoping for better luck...hope we're not too hot

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Best of luck. An organic mulch on the soil may also help.

[@christinele1136]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm thank you!

[@user-in1ev1sp1k]

I bought a hellebores plant a couple months ago, the kind that has the thick leaves. I keep it indoors. The the flowers are not staying alive for very long and new flowers and leaves are developing black edges. I tried watering them once a day or once every other day. It didn't seem to have very much of a difference. What's going on?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks - hellebores love cool soil - indoors is usually a bit warm and has low humidity. I'd suggest you move them outdoors for better results.

[@marthafigueroa4686]

Thank you for the info.

[@heatherstephens9295]

Hi there & thanks for another great video. Just one question, coming into our New Zealand summer my hellebores get absolutely covered in aphids. Even at the garden centre that I work at same thing. Could you tell me why this is? 😎

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Heather - yes, aphids do love the hellebores. I do my fair share of companion planting for beneficial insects to eat the aphids, but they still take a toll on the plants. Add that to hellebores' general dislike of warm weather, and I find they come into fall quite a bit worse for the wear. Even worse in containers because they don't appreciate being rootbound. The winter leaf strip-down gives them a fresh start, and the aphids don't trouble them (at least here) in the cold months - so my hellebores get to look fresh and clean in the flowering season.

[@tracycrider7778]

I have 2 year old transplants in ground and they were probably a year when I got it. Seem to be growing well. I need to move them to give spacing?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Yes, if they're crowded a gentle transplant in the cool season will help.

[@tracycrider7778]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm thank you so much!

[@tracycrider7778]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm could you give me a general spacing idea?

[@fshahurain]

can it be grown in the tropical climate

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hellebores grow their best in cooler weather - but I've read that gardeners in warmer temperate climates (like southern US states) grow them successfully by siting them with plenty of shade. I think they'd struggle in a truly tropical climate, but maybe someone can tell me I'm wrong...

[@annettearellano9482]

Hello I'm curious I bought hellebore with no ID on it, how would I know the color of the flowers?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Have a notepad or a camera ready when they bloom next spring!

[@shelleybogusky4802]

I’m in Michigan zone 6a. I bought 3 Hellebores from Trader Joe’s. I have them in a cool place in the house but some of the leaves are starting to look bad. When can I plant them outside? We still have snow on the ground. Should I keep maybe them in the garage? Thank you!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

They're pretty tolerant of cooler weather - maybe the garage for couple of weeks, but unless you're expecting damaging cold, I'd work to get them right outside.

[@JS-jl1yj]

I am in southern Ontario. I need early spring flowers to help feed Mason Bees in my yard to pollinate my 20 blueberry bushes. The soil in between my blueberry bushes might be too acidic for Hellebores. I am wondering if it be okay to plant Hellebores seeds in between my raspberries. They would get enough morning sun in early spring and as the raspberries get full sized leaves, by mid summer when Hellebores go kind of dormant, there would be mostly shade at the ground level. By August, when I prune out the one-year-old raspberry canes, it would be just partly shade at the ground level. I water my garden at least every 2 days during the summer. Should I just sow the dried commercial Hellebores seeds directly into the ground or try to germinate them in the fridge?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

It sounds like a manageable spot! From seed is a longer process if you don't have "mothers" already - fresh seeds germinate pretty quickly, but dried seeds will need the cold period to stratify. It's your choice whether to do it in the fridge or just sow in place, but I usually stratify in the fridge.

[@aym280]

Hi: the Penny pink variety: Can you propagate them by seeds please? Is Anna's Red or Madame Lemoniere of this group please? The best and comprehensive video I have seen on youtube. Not bogged down by botanical divisions and easily to understand. Highly recommended!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks. I haven't seen seedlings at all from these complex hybrids, and I've grown them for many years. I guess I can't conclude that they're sterile, but it would be interesting to know for sure.

[@rosereal2319]

Can I grow Hellebores in zone 3?

[@cath.lamontagne5357]

I heard that Hellebores like clay soil. What is your experience?

[@prajaktajoshi6280]

thanks

[@lilianflynn1876]

I can never keep hellubores in my garden I have clay soil may be that's the reason?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I'm not sure that's the cause - our soil is pretty heavy too, and they thrive here. How's the drainage?

[@lilianflynn1876]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Not good Gets water logged in Winter and dry as mortar cement in Summer

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Yeah, that's a tough soil - they stay in active growth over the winter, so too much moisture could be the thing.

[@glgardener4972]

Great info. I heard someone say that if you have moles purchasing shredded shale would keep the moles away...Do you know anything about this product and where I can purchase it from? I have several hellebores I am getting ready to plant and would like to prep the soil the best I can.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I don't know about that product - and I figure moles will still be in the area so long as they're finding lots of grubs to eat.

[@tracycrider7778]

Treat for grubs and plant each in large hardware cloth cages underground- keeps them from eating roots

[@tmy1065]

I have hellebores that never flowered again after the first couple seasons. I have never cut off the leaves. They are growing in a semi shady spot competing with maidenhair ferns under a Japanese maple. They’ve looked the same for years. Any advice?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Have a look for a fertilizer with a relatively high middle number (phosphorus), for example 5-10-5 - or bonemeal at 3-15-0 and feed according to package guidelines at the beginning of the cool season. Here I'd be planning for September/October, but even now would be okay. I strip foliage over the winter because the old leaves are generally a little ragged and "spotty" with a years worth of foliar disease by then, but if yours are relatively clean it's your call. The quality of light can make a little difference too. Underneath deciduous trees, they get a reasonable amount of light in the fall and winter after foliage has dropped. Underneath evergreens the shade is a lot deeper and more consistent - so just have a look at that, and see if you want to do some judicious pruning to offer more light. Lastly, hellebores appreciate a neutral or slightly alkaline soil. I've never felt the need to lime here (because mine are growing and flowering well) but if you're not getting the performance you want, it may be worth looking at soil pH

[@tmy1065]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Thank you for your thoughtful answer!

[@tmy1065]

I did as you suggested and they are blooming for the first time in years! Cutting back helped. ​@@FraserValleyRoseFarm

[@noneewong1751]

Can I plant zone 9?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Nonee - hellebores do appreciate a cool season. Not every zone 9 climate has a cool enough winter.

[@annettearellano9482]

I live in Edmonton Alberta and I just get my hellebore plants today can I plant them in the ground right away? Or I need to wait till fall to plant them? Thank so much I hope you can answer my questions. God Bless!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Yes, I'd get them in the ground right away. They my not love the warmer parts of the summer, but they'll perk up again when the cooler weather comes.

[@Unputonombre84]

They are beautiful. Quick question: for a flower farmer focused on cut flowers, do you know if there is a variety that will produce longer stems? Or maybe, is there a viable way to trick them into growing longer stems like one would trick pansies in a hoop house? Thank you in advance for you help.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

One local cut flower grower has been buying a lot of 'Anna's Red' (which, incidentally, is the one I displayed in my video) because of its tall upright flowers. The foliage is fantastic as well. To encourage tall flowers I'm not sure what to recommend except maybe grow them close together and don't skimp on phosphorus.

[@Unputonombre84]

Thanks.

[@rdarrett3635]

I know this is 2 years late, but Burpee has several varieties in the spring 2021 catalog specifically for cut flowers.

[@oOoEberleoOo]

I ordered 3 Hellebore plants online and currently have them in containers. We are moving in August/September and want to take them when I move. Do you think they will be ok to transplant in September into the landscape or should I keep them in the containers and winter them inside until next spring (I'm in zone 4a) Fairly new to gardening and trying to learn. 😬

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Shanna - hellebores LOVE the cooler soil in the fall. If you have any chance to get them in the ground in September, I'd say do it.

[@rspruill1422]

Very informative thanks I am zone 7 (08046)... I bought HGG Jacob Hellebore January 2020. It's doing absolutely fine I fertilize it with PLANT TONE. I noticed the other day about four or five buds of flowers. No they're not very tall they're only a couple inches it's almost like they're hiding underneath all the leaves but this is now summer I thought Christmas rose Hellebore goes dormant - do you have any thoughts on why its blooming a second time? It bloomed early December and I believe the last flower was in February.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks. That's kind of funny to be putting up buds at this time of year. Sometimes plants get a little turned around about the seasons I guess.

[@RodneyCasey]

Hi Jason, I read somewhere that the Christmas Rose is very connected to its roots because it is not separated from them by a stem. Is this true? Does this mean there is no stem?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

The stem is the crown, so you're right - it would be difficult if not impossible to reproduce by stem cuttings.

[@Michael-cp2jo]

Great video- any thoughts about growing Hellebores from seed?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I know a little. The ones on the left side of the table are seedlings from my garden. They can take 2 or 3 years to size up and flower. Sow the seeds fresh when mature in early summer, or if harvested later, do a cold stratification for 3 months.

[@aieshathwaheeda3259]

thank you. can you please make a video about peony? ...☺

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I'll add it to the list! Thanks.

[@aieshathwaheeda3259]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm thank you 😊

[@tracycrider7778]

What question do you have? I’ve been growing them for about 12 years in my garden

[@brianfitzpatrick8448]

Thanks for the video. What PH level?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Brian. Interesting question. In the garden, I correct towards neutral (from my somewhat low pH soil) and it suits them just fine. Most references say they prefer a neutral or slightly alkaline garden soil. However, growing in containers, they definitely like a lower pH (around 6.0) for best nutrient availability.

[@sallyhamilton7202]

I've been trying to successfully grow Hellebores for YEARS, and I've not had much luck. So you're saying fertilize in Feb or early March which raises a question. I live in a climate where there is still snow on the ground until quite often early April. HOW do I fertilize at that time? I often find that the plant itself is growing under the snow as I'm sure the snow acts as insulation for a plant that already doesn't mind being cold. I am doing pretty well at getting the plant to live from year to year (I currently have one that is three years, old a record for me) but they don't flower. Also how much light do they require? I have mine planted on a north-facing wall under a tree so they're not getting much light, (which may be why they don't flower... or lack of fertilizer.. or a multitude of other things!). Needless to say Hellebores are frustrating to me and any advice would be appreciated!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Sally. Well, mine get about 40% sun (morning and evening a bit) - but yes, depending on how dense the shade is, it'll cut down on flowering and overall vigor. Fertilize in your cooler "shoulder seasons" however they line up - here it's usually best in Sep/Oct and again in Feb/Mar. I avoid it in summer, because my hellebores are busy sulking about the heat & dryness. Not much good when it's fully frozen either, but they do appreciate a fairly high level of fertility in the spring and fall.

[@sallyhamilton7202]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Thanks for the advice! I LOVE your channel, I've learned a lot watching your videos. I took a look at my hellebores today. We've had an excessively wet spring and summer and our nights have been cooler than normal the last few weeks. My hellebores are thriving. They are lush and green and beautiful! I am hoping they are putting down some good roots and will possibly bloom this spring. I think they are getting enough light. The tree doesn't have any leaves until late April and like yours they are getting morning sun and a little bit of late evening sun. Maybe I just need to be patient! I waited 4 years for some of my tree peonies to bloom the first time and it's always worth the wait!

[@susandevoe7915]

Wish the captioning didn't hide what you really want to see...

[@daphnerice7653]

February is SUMMER

[@yonokzeller5402]

🤩🤩🤩🙏🥰

[@irenamoiseykina7724]

"Продано". "Продано"... First you have to buy it. And, oh, yes, FIND MONEY for at least two plants.