Species Christmas rose
white flower with off-white stamens, green stems and toothed leaves

Christmas rose

Helleborus niger 'Altifolius'

Christmas rose, or Helleborus niger 'Altifolius,' is a perennial shrub with a thick, woody stem and shiny, dark green leaves. Its most remarkable feature is the large, beautiful white flowers, often with a yellow hue, which bloom in the wintertime. The colour of the flowers, along with its ability to thrive in colder temperatures, make it a great addition to any winter garden. Christmas rose is also quite tolerant of shade and is a low-maintenance and low-water plant. It makes for a perfect feature with its enduring and festive beauty.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Layering Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

White Flowers

Sun:

Part shade,full shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Christmas roses thrive in moist, well-drained soil and should be watered regularly throughout the year. During the summer months, water the plants once a week, making sure to saturate the soil around the roots to the depth of an inch or 2. During the winter months, water the plants approximately twice a month. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering the plants.

sunlight

Christmas rose (Helleborus niger 'Altifolius') prefers bright, indirect sunlight throughout the day, with up to 4 hours of direct sunlight. The amount of sunlight that the plant gets can vary based on the altitude and climate of the region. Ideally, it should receive 4 to 5 hours of bright sunlight per day. It is important for the Christmas Rose to receive indirect light throughout the day as direct light can lead to foliage burn. Christmas Rose should be positioned in an area of the garden that receives dappled shade throughout the day and ensures that the plant receives at least 4 to 5 hours of sunlight.

pruning

Christmas Rose should be pruned in late spring, or after it has stopped flowering. Unwanted stems should be removed at ground level and also any dead, damaged or diseased foliage. Care should also be taken to prune away any shoots that may be growing outside of the desired shape. Pruning should be kept to a minimum since this plant will not respond well to heavy pruning.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug

Hardiness Map