Helleborus purpurascens

RHS Plant Profile

purple-flowered Christmas rose

Herbaceous Perennial

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A compact, clump-forming, deciduous perennial up to 25-30cm high. The distinctive green leaves are hairy when young, each of the leaflets separates from the top of the leaf stalk almost at one point. The first rich purple or pinkish purple flowers start opening at ground level in December and it will continue to flower until March.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or West–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eatenskin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eatenskin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Helleborus can be rhizomatous, herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennials forming a clump of pedate basal leaves, or evergreen with erect, leafy stems. Large, bowl-shaped flowers are borne in loose clusters in late winter or spring
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: EC Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grown in moisture retentive neural to alkaline soil that is not prone to drying out. Best planted in a sunny position or light shade. Improve lighter soil with organic matter such as garden compost or a manure-based soil conditioner prior to planting. Mulch annually in spring. For more details, see hellebore cultivation.

Propagation

Propagate by division in early autumn or in early spring after flowering. Propagate by seed as soon as ripe and keep in a coldframe.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Cut flowers
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Remove faded leaves in late summer/autumn.

Pests

May be susceptible to hellebore aphis, slugs and snails.

Diseases

May be susceptible to hellebore black death, hellebore leaf spot, grey moulds (botrytis) and virus diseases.