About
Helleborus purpurascens, the purple-flowered Christmas rose, is a compact, clump-forming, deciduous perennial to 25�30 cm. Rich purple or pinkish-purple flowers begin opening at ground level in December, continuing to flower until March. A beautiful and characterful early-winter hellebore for a sheltered, partly shaded border.
About the genus
Helleborus, the hellebores, are rhizomatous, herbaceous or evergreen perennials with bold, pedate or palmate, deeply divided, leathery leaves and nodding, bowl-shaped flowers in late winter and spring. Long-lived and ornamental plants for shaded or partly shaded positions.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toEC Europe
ToxicityHarmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrown 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.
PruningRemove faded leaves in late summer/autumn.
PropagationPropagate by division in early autumn or in early spring after flowering. Propagate by seed as soon as ripe and keep in a coldframe.
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to hellebore aphis, slugs and snails.
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to hellebore black death, hellebore leaf spot, grey moulds (botrytis) and virus diseases.