Anna's Red Hellebore

Hellebores today are a long way from the old white and green Christmas Rose or Lenten Rose of your grandmother. Stunning beauties like Anna’s Red Hellebore are marvelous plants for winter and early spring blooming, depending on your growing zone. Clusters of large flowers rise up on stems up to 2 feet tall, and the flowers look boldly outwards, without nodding and hiding as old varieties did. The color is a unique burgundy red to purple-red, with a contrasting creamy-white cluster of stamens in the center. Even when the stamens drop the flower just darkens a little, but remains, as the seed pods develop in the center. The flower stems are red too, and rise above attractive dark-green leathery leaves that make a great groundcover for any shady place. In colder zones the leaves may be deciduous. Spring leaves have bright pink veins that turn white, creating a charming marbled effect.

• Large burgundy-purple flowers with creamy stamens
• Blooms in late winter or very early spring
• Flowers don’t nod over, so greater impact
• Leathery leaves have red and then cream veins when new
• Grows well in shade, in most soils

Grow Anna’s Red Hellebore in partial or full shade – some morning sun is beneficial, especially in colder zones. Grows best in moist, rich, well-drained soil, and happy in alkaline soil too. Will grow successfully in any soil that isn’t very dry or waterlogged. Usually free of pests or diseases, and ignored by deer, but watch out for slugs and snails. Protect from cold winter winds in colder zones. Remove spent flower stems once they become unsightly, and any old, damaged leaves at the same time – that’s it for another year.