Helleborus niger,BGC Josef Lemper, patented variety
Christmas Rose

What is the Christmas Rose? How do you grow it? How about California Climate? How about Lenten Rose ?Is it the same plant?

My best information. Helleborus is a lovely winter blooming perennial. In cold climates it is the first plant to bloom in the early spring. Having it in bloom by the end of December is the goal...hence the name Christmas Rose. Not related to a rose at all but the flower looks a bit like a lovely single rose. Colder climates will enjoy blooms later on into the Lenten season. There comes the other name. It seems to be the same plant. Use whichever name suits the season where you are.

Our Helleborus are a special hybrid called Josef Lemper and blooms earlier and better than many other Hellebores. I copied what the company that we buy our tiny plants says about it. You can read it below.

The best place to grow it is in light filtered shade. Along the coast we grew our young starter Helleborus this last summer in full sun. They didn't look real lush but when the expert from Europe was in he said they were just fine.

However you are buying your Christmas Rose now that it is in bloom.

I would enjoy it in its pot for now. You can also keep it in a pot all the time. Trim off the old ugly foliage in summer and when winter comes and your plant blooms then you bring it out to enjoy.
The flowers. start out as a lovely white or pink white and change to a lime green as they age.

These are special hybrids cloned and them micro propagated. If you start new plants from seeds they will not have the same great growing characteristics, but it is still fun. The seeds form in the middle and apparently are easy to start first thing in the spring. Sprinkle a few on very light potting mix, Keep moist and warm.
In the old days they used to cover seeds in a flat or planting frame with a pane of glass. Still works, but a sheet of plastic wrap will do it too. They are easy to transplant when young but don't expect a full plant in a hurry.
If you are not using the seeds you are better off removing the bloom once the seeds are really evident. The seed head is quite pretty to my eyes so....?

Light needs: Light to moderate shade. Blooms best with good light but protected from the midday sun. In with your camellias, cyclamen and other shade lovers is best. Since Helleborus do not like to be transplanted pick your spot carefully.

Soil and moisture needs.

Soil needs are important. Really rich composted light well drained soil. If you have clay keep your plants in pots. They love organic fertilizers and can hate too strong a dose of any chemical fertilizer. Just keep adding the humus to your soil.

They are quite drought tolerant and would much prefer to be on the dry side rather than too wet. During the summer, the plant is happy in near-droughty conditions once it is established. In winter as our plant begins to grow trim off any old ugly leaves. Do not divide as you would other perennials. That is a 'no,no'. Start your new plants from seeds. There are many sites on the Internet that talk about Helleborus but most of them are from England, Wisconsin and other Midwest or eastern sites.

Your Helleborus may not last for years and years. Much depends on winter chill. That's OK. Our weather gives us plenty of good plants so just buy a new one or keep growing the seeds. there are many special hybrids out in the trade. The one we have is Josef Lemper. Below is the information about this very special cultivar.

Remember, that this information is for worldwide distribution and we in Southern California need to filter all instructions to our specific climate.

Plant Profile Helleborus niger ‘HGC Josef Lemper’
The HGC logo indicates that Helleborus ‘HGC Josef Lemper’™ is part of a collection of named Helleborus varieties bred for very high quality. Only about 1 in 100,000 seedlings meet the high standards necessary for possible inclusion in the Helleborus Gold Collection™. Unlike many other Helleborus varieties on the market, the Helleborus Gold Collection™ varieties are propagated by micropropagation and not by seed. This is the best method of producing plants of the highest possible quality which are consistently true to form. This variety is dedicated to Josef Lemper, with gratitude and in recognition of his decades of plant-breeding work that resulted in the production of a large number of early-flowering and robust varieties suitable for the garden. The Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger) is a unique plant whose radiant beauty gives us more pleasure than any other during the cold winter months. The Christmas Rose is an undemanding, fully hardy plant which will also flourish well in the shade. Helleborus originates from Central Europe where it prefers an organic alkaline soil that is well drained. ‘HGC Josef Lemper’ is a stunning plant that fulfils the wishful dreams of the most passionate gardener and grows more and more beautiful each year eventually getting to 55cm wide and 50cm tall. The large, well formed pure white flowers (aging to light green) appear from mid winter to early spring. They are on strong stems and make attractive cut flowers. Helleborus niger ‘HGC Josef Lemper’ requires little effort to keep them performing and growing well. It is not necessary but will give a better floral display if most of the leaves are trimmed back during early winter. Give an annual feed with Osmocote Slow Release in late spring. Remove the spent flowers prior to seed set and trim off any ratty leaves. Plant en masse to give a kaleidoscope of color and form. Helleborus prefer a cool summer position in part to full shade. Plant with Heuchera ‘Black Beauty’, cyclamen primroses, camellias and other shade plants. Collect all of the Helleborus Gold CollectionTM and make your garden a Golden Garden! Another in the Larkman Plants TM collection www.helleborus.de www.larkmanplants.com.au