Plant encyclopedia›Christmas rose

Christmas rose

Also known as: bear's foot; black hellebore; brumal rose; Christmas plant; Christopher's herb; Christ's herb; clove-tongue; St Agnes' rose

H. niger is a semi-evergreen perennial to 30cm, with pedately lobed, leathery, dark green leaves and 1-3 pure white or pink-flushed white, bowl-shaped flowers up to 8cm in width

Scientific classification

Species: Christmas rose (Helleborus niger)
Genus: Helleborus
Family: Ranunculaceae

Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling]
Toxicity: Herbaceous Perennial
Plant type: 0.1-0.5 metres
Height: 0.1-0.5 metres
Spread: Semi evergreen
Foliage: Clump forming
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Season of interest: Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Christmas rose pictures

Distribution of Christmas rose

Distribution map

Europe, Southwestern Asia

Information to be completed

Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling]

Quick identification of Christmas rose

Information to be completed

Christmas rose care guide

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Watering: Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings

Fertilizing

Balanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer

Pruning

Remove faded or damaged foliage as the flowers appear

Propagation

Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe or propagate by division after flowering in early spring or late summer

Growing

Thrives in neutral to alkaline soils that are moist, fertile and humus-rich, ideal for heavy clay in partial shade. Provide shelter from strong, cold winds. Mulch annually in autumn

More growing and care information →