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      17 Different Types of Hellebore Varieties For Your Flowerbeds

      Are you thinking of planting hellebore this season, but aren't quite sure where to start? There are many different types of hellebore, with many different colored blooms. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago looks at the the different types of hellebore you can choose from when adding these spring blooming beauties to your flowerbeds this season.

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      Written by Last updated: October 2, 2023 | 8 min read

      hellebore varieties

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      Hellebore, also known as the Christmas or Lenten rose, is a unique flowering perennial that blooms anywhere from late winter into the springtime. The unique flowers are a welcome sight to gardeners in the early spring, and their foliage is evergreen so it will not leave any gaps in your garden after the flowers have faded.

      These chilly bloomers love the shade, and come in a wide variety of colors making it a perfect fit for any shade garden. Hellebores also provide necessary nectar to early pollinators, and they tend to be mostly deer resistant. The only downside to hellebore is they are toxic if ingested by pets or humans, so choose your planting site wisely.

      If you are looking for a new spring blooming perennial I strongly urge you to try hellebore in your garden. Here are a few varieties to get you started!

      ‘Angel Glow’

      Close-up of blooming Angel Glow hellebore flowers in a sunny garden. The flowers are large, cup-shaped, with rounded pale pink petals with a light green tint in one row and a central carpel with yellow stamens. The leaves are dark green, oval, with serrated edges.
      This variety produces graceful deep pink buds that open to reveal light pink petals that gradually fade to light green.
      • Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Partial Shade
      • Flower Color: Pink
      • Hardiness Zone: 6-8

      ‘Angel glow’ truly does give off a glowing appearance. The flowers on this hellebore begin as deep pink buds. They open to show light pink petals which will slowly age to light green. Angel glow will begin to bloom in the late winter.

      ‘Angel glow’ is a little bit more compact than some other hellebores, spreading to only one foot it will create nice little clumps in your garden. The foliage on this variety is a greenish blue and a bit more leathery than some other hellebore.

      ‘Cascade Blush’

      Close-up of blooming Cascade Blush hellebore flowers in the garden. The leaves of the hellebore are palmate with serrated edges, dark green in color with a purple tint around the edges. Cup-shaped flowers, drooping, dark plum in color with showy golden stamens in the center.
      This variety produces showy plum blossoms from late winter to spring.
      • Plant Size: 1- 1 ½ feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Partial Shade
      • Flower Color: Purple
      • Hardiness Zone: 4-9

      ‘Cascade blush’ has plum colored flowers. These flowers are single but they have showy stamen to give this hellebore some extra detail. These large blooms will begin to pop at the end of the winter lasting well into the spring.

      These pretty purple flowers bloom on the tips of red stems, surrounded by deep green foliage with a hint of silver.  Plant ‘cascade blush’ with some creamy daffodils for a pretty color combination.

      ‘California Dreaming’

      Close-up of a blooming bright yellow California Dreaming hellebore flower against a blurred background. The flower is large, cup-shaped, with slightly drooping yellow rounded petals, the central crown conspicuously contrasts with yellow stamens. The edges of the petals are slightly brown.
      This variety is a magnificent pure yellow flower with dark green glossy foliage.
      • Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
      • Flower Color: Yellow
      • Hardiness Zone: 4-9

      ‘California dreaming’ is a pretty yellow variety of hellebore. The flowers are singular, and they are a clear yellow without any spots or blotches. These bright yellow flowers can reach up to 3 inches in diameter.

      The foliage is dark green and glossy, growing in a bushy habit. ‘California dreaming’ will begin blooming in early to mid spring with long lasting blooms. The yellow flowers will brighten a shady area under a tree, and would be pretty in place of daffodils.

      ‘Confetti Cake’

      Close-up of Confetti cake hellebore flower on blurred background. The flower is large, double, cup-shaped, snow-white in color with dark red, almost purple freckles densely planted closer to the center of the flower. Yellow stamens grow densely in the center of the flower.
      This variety is a double white hellebore flower with dark red dots towards the middle of the flower.
      • Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
      • Flower Color: White
      • Hardiness Zone: 4-9

      ‘Confetti cake’ is a unique white hellebore variety. The flowers are double and crisp white with deep red speckles. The stamens are a light green, and add a nice contrast to the red speckles. Confetti cake’s flowers will grow to 3 inches in diameter.

      These downward facing flowers emerge on top of glossy, deep green stems and foliage. ‘Confetti cake’ will begin to bloom in early spring and will bloom throughout the summer.

      ‘Dashing Groomsman’

      Close-up of a blooming Dashing Groomsman hellebore against a blurred background surrounded by green leaves. Hellebore leaves are palmate, deeply divided with serrated edges. The flower is cup-shaped, double, dark purple in color with slate-gray petals in the center, drooping, rounded.
      This incredibly beautiful variety of hellebore attracts with its slate-gray double flowers with a hint of dark purple.
      • Plant Size: 1- 2 feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
      • Flower Color: Purple/ Gray
      • Hardiness Zone: 4-9

      Dashing groomsman is a great choice if you are looking to add drama and interest into your gardens. The flowers on dashing groomsman are a slate gray with hints of deep purple.

      These dark beauties will grow to 3 inches in diameter and are beautiful double flowers, jam packed with petals. The foliage is deep green and glossy. Dashing groomsman will begin to bloom in early spring and will last through the spring.

      ‘Frost Kiss Anna’s Red’

      Close-up of a blooming Frost Kiss Anna's Red hellebore flower in a sunny garden against a blurred background. The flower is cup-shaped, consists of 5 large rounded petals of rich pink, almost red color, with a bright crown of cream stamens in the center. The sun's rays illuminated the flower leaving a slight shadow from the stamens on the petals.
      ‘Frost Kiss Anna’s Red’ blooms with rich red flowers with delicate creamy stamens in the center.
      • Plant Size: 1-2 feet
      • Sun Exposure: Partial Sun
      • Flower Color: Red/ Purple
      • Hardiness Zone: 4-9

      Anna’s red is a beautiful, popular hellebore variety for both its dependability as well as its beautiful foliage and flowers. The flowers begin as deep purple buds, which open to reveal rich red petals with pretty cream colored stamens.

      The flowers are single and a bit more dainty than some of the other larger flowered varieties. The foliage is leathery rather than glossy, and is a shade of bronze with hints of red and pink throughout. Anna’s red will bloom in the late winter and will last through the spring. The foliage will provide color all year long.

      ‘Ivory Prince’

      Close-up of blooming Ivory Prince hellebore flowers surrounded by dark green petiolate leaves with serrated edges. The flowers are large, delicate creamy white with a greenish tint in the center and pale pink on the outside. Bright green crowns with creamy stamens in the center of the flowers. The plant grow under a tree pillar in the autumn garden.
      This is a very delicate type of hellebore that has creamy white flowers with a greenish tint.
      • Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Partial Sun
      • Flower Color: Creamy White
      • Hardiness Zone: 3-8

      ‘Ivory prince’ is a classic hellebore and a very popular variety. The flowers on this hellebore produce red flower buds which will open to creamy white flowers. The flowers are single and have hints of green in the center.

      These softly colored flowers will reach between 2 and 3 inches in diameter. The stems on ivory prince are red, while the leaves are green with a hint of silver throughout the veins. ‘Ivory prince’ is an early bloomer, blooming in late winter and lasting through the spring.

      ‘Midnight Ruffles’

      Close-up of 6 flowering Midnight Ruffles hellebore flowers in a garden surrounded by vibrant green foliage. The flowers are cup-shaped, double, dark purple, almost black in color with petals wavy along the edges and light yellow stamens. The flowers are drooping. The leaves are palmately divided with serrated edges. The underside of the leaves is purple.
      This type of hellebore has dark purple flowers with wavy petals and light yellow stamens.
      • Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
      • Flower Color: Black
      • Hardiness Zone: 4-9

      ‘Midnight ruffles’ is such a pretty and dramatic plant. The flowers on ‘midnight ruffles‘ are such a deep purple that they are almost black. The petals have a wavy edge to them and the stamens are a very light yellow. These flowers are double and will grow to 3 inches in diameter. 

      The foliage on midnight ruffles is glossy and dark green. This hellebore variety will begin to bloom in early spring and will hold its deep color for up to three months!

      ‘Penny’s Pink’

      A close-up of many blooming Penny's Pink hellebore flowers surrounded by vibrant green pedate foliage. The flowers are large, cup-shaped, consist of 5 rounded petals of a soft pink hue and a green crown in the center of the flower with creamy stamens. Some hellebore leaves have black spots.
      Hellebore ‘Penny’s Pink’ blooms with beautiful pink flowers with showy creamy yellow stamens.
      • Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
      • Flower Color: Pink
      • Hardiness Zone: 4-9

      ‘Penny’s pink’ is a treat for gardeners. The flowers on this variety are a pretty shade of pink. The single flowers can grow to about 3 inches wide, and will take on different shades of pink as well as green as they age.

      The showy stamens on these flowers are a creamy yellow. While the flowers are pretty, the special part of ‘Penny’s pink’ is the foliage. The leaves range from purple to green all season long. When the foliage finally turns green, pink will remain around the veins of the leaves.

      ‘Paris in Pink’

      Close-up of a Paris in Pink hellebore flower in bloom against a blurred background. The flower is large, cup-shaped, consists of five rounded pale pink petals with darker pink edges and a green tint closer to the center of the flower. In the center of the flower are creamy stamens surrounded by short rounded petals with dark purple edges.
      This variety has the most attractive pink flowers with dark green glossy foliage.
      • Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
      • Flower Color: Pink
      • Hardiness Zone: 4-9

      ‘Paris in pink’ boasts the prettiest pink flowers. These pale to medium pink flowers may have hints of white or pale green in them. The flowers are single and will grow to a massive 4 inches in diameter.

      The foliage is dark green and glossy and grows in an upright fashion. The long lasting flowers of ‘paris in pink’ will begin to bloom in early spring and hold their color through the spring. Try planting in a woodland edge, the flowers will be charming in the springtime and the foliage will last and keep your edge tidy all season long.

      ‘Pink Frost’

      Close-up of pink blooming Pink Frost hellebore flower on green blurred background. A cup-shaped flower, consists of five rounded pale pink petals and bright yellow stamens in the center.
      This variety has classic pink hellebore flowers that bloom from late winter.
      • Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Sun
      • Flower Color: Pink
      • Hardiness Zone: 5-8

      ‘Pink frost’ is a classic pink hellebore. The flowers of pink frost are single, and simple. Their color is a dusty pink that may darken to a maroon as they age.

      ‘Pink frost’ is an extremely prolific bloomer, beginning in the end of winter with many new flowers popping up for weeks into the spring. The stems on this hellebore are red, and the leaves are a frosty silver. Try planting this variety in a spring container!

      ‘Romantic Getaway’

      Close-up of blooming Romantic Getaway hellebore flowers in a sunny spring garden surrounded by bright green palmate foliage with slightly serrated edges. The flowers are large, cup-shaped, drooping, consist of 5 rounded snow-white petals with bright red centers.
      This variety blooms in early spring with snow-white flowers with bright red centers.
      • Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
      • Flower Color: White with Red Centers
      • Hardiness Zone: 4-9

      ‘Romantic getaway’ is a really fun variety, especially if you are already growing hellebore in your garden or if you are looking for something really unique. The flowers on this hellebore are a crisp white with very dramatic red centers.

      The flowers are single and will grow to 3 inches diameter. The foliage on romantic getaway is the classic glossy deep green of the hellebore. These showy flowers will begin to bloom in the early spring and will remain a unique feature in your garen all spring.

      ‘Sandy Shores’

      Close-up of a blooming Sandy Shores hellebore flower against a backdrop of vibrant green foliage and unopened soft pink buds. The leaves are bright green, palmately divided with serrated edges. The flower is large, cup-shaped, rosy pink in color with rich red dots in the center of the flower surrounding creamy white stamens.
      This incredible hellebore variety has delicate rose-pink flowers with a reddish center.
      • Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
      • Flower Color: Peach
      • Hardiness Zone: 4-9

      This pretty hellebore variety reminds me of sherbert. The flowers on sandy shores are a pretty peach. The undersides of the flowers are a rosy pink and the flowers have a red center.

      Growing to about 3 inches in diameter, the flowers on ‘sandy shores’ will begin to bloom in early spring. The foliage on this hellebore variety is a pretty shade of green. Plant sandy shores in a border garden mixed in with your pink or purple tulips for a pretty color combination.

      ‘Snowbells’

      A close-up of a snow-white Snowbells hellebore flower blooming in a spring garden against a backdrop of bright green leaves. The flowers of this miniature variety are white, semi-double, with large showy yellow-green stamens. The petals are large, rounded, surrounding the inner two rows of shorter snow-white petals.
      This variety blooms in late winter with showy white, semi-double flowers with large yellow-green stamens.
      • Plant Size: 1 foot tall
      • Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
      • Flower Color: White
      • Hardiness Zone: 4-9

      ‘Snowbells’ lives up to its name, blooming in late winter. The flowers on this petite variety are white and semi-doubled with large showy stamens which are a yellow-green. The flowers on ‘Snowbells‘ face outward, rather than downward, making the flowers extra showy.

      The stems are short, and the foliage is a bluish green. The flowers can grow to 3 inches in diameter, and will last through the early spring. Plant ‘snowbells’ in a place where they will be seen! Tucked into a shady doorway, or a pot on a covered porch would be charming.

      ‘Vegas Nights’

      View from below, close-up of blooming Vegas Night hellebore flowers against the sky in a spring garden. The leaves are dark green, palmately divided with serrated edges. The flowers are cup-shaped, drooping, dark purple with golden stamens.
      ‘This variety produces deep purple flowers with yellow stamens that bloom in early spring.
      • Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
      • Flower Color: Slate Gray/ Purple
      • Hardiness Zone: 4-9

      ‘Vegas nights’ has pretty slate gray to purple flowers. The flowers are singular and have yellow stamen. These pretty gray flowers will grow to about 3 inches in width. The foliage is a pretty deep green and contrasts very nicely with the blossoms.

      ‘Vegas nights’ will begin to bloom in early springtime, lasting through the spring. Mix this variety of hellebore with some white flowers, such as white grape hyacinth, or white daffodils, for a dramatic springtime show.

      ‘Winter Jewel’s Golden Lotus’

      Close-up of two blooming Winter Jewel's Golden Lotus hellebore flowers surrounded by green leaves. The leaves are palmately divided, bright green with serrated edges. The flowers are large, double, cup-shaped, consist of elongated light yellow petals, some of them have a red border.
      ‘Winter Jewel’s Golden Lotus’ produces gorgeous light yellow double flowers with a red border.
      • Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
      • Flower Color: Yellow
      • Hardiness Zone: 5-8

      ‘Golden lotus’ has very pretty light yellow flowers. The double flowers are fluffy, some of which have a red edge to them. The flowers are large, growing from 2-3 inches wide each with up to 20 petals per flower. The stamens on golden lotus are yellow and very showy. The foliage on this plant is glossy and green.

      ‘Golden lotus’, an early bloomer, begins to produce flowers in late winter. Golden lotus would provide a welcome pop of color in a shady area that needs some light, perhaps under a cluster of trees or in a corner of a woodland garden.

      ‘Winter Jewel’s Painted Doubles’

      Close-up of Winter Jewel's Painted Doubles hellebore flowers surrounded by bright green elongated leaves. The flowers are large, cup-shaped, drooping, double, snow-white with dark red patches in the center of the flowers. There are golden stamens in the center of the flower.
      This attractive painted hellebore variety has bright white flowers with dark red patches in the center.
      • Plant Size: 1-2 feet tall
      • Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Shade
      • Flower Color: White with burgundy spots
      • Hardiness Zone: 5-8

      Painted doubles truly have the appearance of double flowers that have been painted. These flowers are a crisp, bright whte with deep red splashes at the center of the flowers. These large flowers will begin to bloom at the end of winter and are very long lasting.

      The foliage on painted doubles is glossy and dark green. Plant this hellebore variety in any shady spot that needs some springtime color. I think it would be really pretty planted in front of some evergreen shrubs.

      Final Thoughts

      If you choose any of the above varieties your garden will be instantly beautified. Remember to plant your hellebore in the shade and keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Enjoy the springtime blooms and remember that they are signs of a beautiful season to come.

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