Christmas Rose

In Europe the Christmas Rose is the most famous of all helleborus species. The native regions where Christmas Rose can be found are Switzerland, southern Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia and northern Italy. The Christmas Rose prefers a semi-shaded area in the garden with a base soil. The roots grow deep to find the necessary moisture and nutrients for growth.

The dark-green leaves are subdivided into seven up to nine segments. The upper area of the segments is serrated, but they are not sharp enough to harm.

A great garden feature is that these species begin to flower in November and continue through March. This is a time when normally gardens begin to lose their charm. The plants are evergreen and provide a good groundcover April through October. The flowers open white and can mature in cooler weather to pink. The flowers stand strong above the foliage creating a nice show for the garden observer.

Over the past years several Hybrids were generated with H. niger as one parent. H. niger typically serves as the seed parent for the Christmas Rose in such crossings. These are the named Hybrids:

- H. x sternii: Hybride between H. lividus and H. argutifolius
- H. x ericsmithii: Hybride between H. x sternii and H. niger
- H. x nigercors: Hybride between H. argutifolius and H. niger
- H. x ballardiae: Hybride between H. lividus and H. niger
- H. x glandorfii: Hybride between H. niger and H. atrorubens