Honeymoon® Rome in Red Lenten Rose

If youre looking for a plant that blooms from late winter well into spring, maybe even into early summer, hellebore is the answer. Honeymoon Rome in Red hellebore is from the famed hybridizer Hans Hansen and it does all that and more. Its sometimes called Lenten rose because it blooms near the Christian Lent season. This shade-loving, evergreen perennial has outward-facing single flowers in a beautiful range of deep maroon to wine red and are 3 to 4 inches wide. The plant is 18 to 24 inches tall and wide. Honeymoon Rome in Red can be used as an evergreen ground cover. Intersperse among shrubs or mix in the perennial garden. You can also plant under a shade tree, but select a spot that will have full sun through winter until the trees leaf out. Cut a few flowers and float them in a bowl for a lovely table decoration. In spring, you might find hellebores in garden centers. They are easy to work in spring pots and can be transplanted to the garden at the end of the season. Once established, hellebores are drought tolerant. Beware: all parts of hellebore are poisonous. Honeymoon® Rome in Red Lenten Rose Care Protect from strong western or southern sun. Water regularly until plants are established. Hellebores prefer organically rich, moist planting sites, but readily adapt to sandy or clay soil. They also are salt tolerant, making them an option for planting near pavement that is treated with deicers in winter. About the only maintenance is removing winter damaged leaves, as needed. Its possible the plant will drop seed, which will germinate into new plants. To promote this, apply a good layer of mulch. The seedlings will emerge from the mulch. Transplant the babies, if desired. Although hellebores self sow, they are not considered invasive. Honeymoon® Rome in Red Lenten Rose Spacing Space about 18 inches apart, center on center. Use as filler in a spring, summer or winter container.