Hellebores are hardy winter plants that last a long time. Plantsman Graham Rice says now is the time to check them over and fix any problems right away.
If the hellebores aren’t already flowering, the first ones will soon. This is also when signs of trouble may start to seem clear. Fortunately, there’s still time to do something about them. One problem, though, is illusory. On frosty mornings, the flowering stems may arch over until the buds and flowers touch the ground. It’s easy to think that flowering has ended too soon. Nope, they’ll be standing straight again by lunchtime or even mid-morning, and the cold won’t bother them at all.
Cutting off the leaves of last year at the end of the season is one of the best things you can do. This stops the hellebore leaf spot disease from spreading to the flowers through the winter on the leaves. Even though November is the best month, you can still do it. Just cut off the old leaves of stemless plants like Helleborus hybridus right at the base. The so-called hellebore black death is more serious. There is no cure for this virus disease and infected plants should be dug up and destroyed. Soon after the flowers fall off, you need to step in and take care of your plants to keep them healthy. Hellebores are designed to cross-pollinate, which means that most of the seeds inside the fat pods will come from two different parent plants. This means that they probably won’t be the same as the plant you chose that has the pods. Often, the seeds fall back into the clump, where they may eventually germinate and flower. This makes the parent plant less powerful by producing seedlings that aren’t as good. I always cut off all the flower stems before the pods split.
Lastly, we are often told to split our hardy perennials every three years and plant the healthy pieces in better soil. However hellebores, like hostas, are best left to mature into large clumps and not split. But without the chance to improve the soil, regular mulching and feeding in the autumn is wise.
Left to right: hellebore leaf spot; seed pods shed plentiful seeds when mature; hellebore black death
Hellebores are prized for their early blooms that brighten late winter gardens But when is the right time to cut these perennials back for optimal health and flowering? Proper timing and technique when cutting back hellebores can make all the difference
Why Cut Hellebores Back?
Hellebores, also known as Lenten roses or Christmas roses, are long-lived perennials that bloom in late winter and early spring. They are wonderful plants that provide early color when little else is in bloom. Many gardeners wonder if they need to cut back the old hellebore foliage. There are a few key reasons to trim hellebores:
- Promote new growth – Removing tattered leaves allows fresh foliage to emerge.
- Prevent disease – Eliminating foliage reduces overwintering diseases like leaf spot.
- Improve appearance – Ratty old leaves can detract from the flowers.
- Control self-seeding – Cutting off seed heads prevents unwanted seedlings.
- Shape the plant – Cutting back leaves shapes the plant’s form.
Cutting hellebores back improves their health, tidiness and flowering. But when and how you cut them is important
When to Trim Hellebores
Hellebores can be cut back at two main times:
Fall
Cutting hellebores in fall as they enter dormancy is recommended. This removes foliage before disease sets in. Leaf spot and other fungal diseases overwinter on old leaves, later spreading to new growth. Pruning in fall eliminates this inoculum source. Aim to cut back hellebores in late autumn, around November. Focus on removing tattered and diseased foliage first.
Early Spring
The other option is cutting hellebores in early spring. Wait until flowers begin emerging, usually February or March. Pruning too early in winter can damage flower buds. Once blooms start opening, cut down unsightly leaves. This tidies plants for the spring display.
How to Cut Back Hellebores
Use by-species techniques when cutting back hellebores
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Hybrids – Cut old hybrid hellebore leaves down to the ground in fall or early spring. Avoid damaging emerging flower stems.
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Christmas rose – Trim ratty Christmas rose leaves in early spring to improve appearance. Leave healthy leaves for winter interest.
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Caucasian – Cut this species back fully in fall since flowers bloom on old stems. Remove spent blooms in spring.
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Corsican – Cut old foliage to the ground in fall or early spring. Flowers bloom on new growth.
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Others – For less common species, research pruning needs. Many can be cut back in fall or early spring.
Use clean, sharp pruners when cutting leaves to avoid disease spread. Remove all cut debris from the garden. After cutting back hellebores, apply fresh mulch around the plants. Water and fertilize as needed to encourage new growth. Avoid heavy pruning that removes too much foliage.
Caring for Hellebores After Cutting Back
After cutting back hellebores, provide care to support new leaf and flower growth:
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Keep plants well-watered, especially newly emerging foliage.
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Apply a balanced organic fertilizer when new growth begins.
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Monitor for pests like aphids that can attack fresh leaves and buds.
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Place cutworm collars around emerging flower stems to prevent damage.
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Add 2-3 inches of shredded bark mulch around plants to maintain moisture and suppress weeds.
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Remove spent hellebore flowers once they fade to improve appearance.
Properly cutting back hellebores revitalizes growth and flowers. But avoid frequent renewal pruning as older plants have the best blooms. Allow foliage to remain when possible for plant health. With proper timing and care, cutting back hellebores keeps them flowering beautifully year after year.
Frequency of Entities:
Hellebores – 18 times
Leaves – 16 times
Fall – 5 times
Early spring – 5 times
Foliage – 7 times
Cutting back – 7 times
RHS Malvern Spring Festival
Hellebores are hardy winter plants that last a long time. Plantsman Graham Rice says now is the time to check them over and fix any problems right away.
The first hellebores will be coming into flower soon, if they’re not blooming already, and it’s around this time that evidence of problems may become apparent. Fortunately, there’s still time to do something about them. One problem, though, is illusory. On frosty mornings the flowering stems may arch over till the flowers and buds touch the ground and it’s tempting to believe that flowering has come to a premature full stop. But no, by lunch time, or even mid morning, they will be standing upright again and none the worse for the chill.
Cutting off the leaves of last year at the end of the season is one of the best things you can do. This stops the hellebore leaf spot disease from spreading to the flowers through the winter on the leaves. Even though November is the best month, you can still do it. Just cut off the old leaves of stemless plants like Helleborus hybridus right at the base. The so-called hellebore black death is more serious. There is no cure for this virus disease and infected plants should be dug up and destroyed. Soon after the flowers fall off, you need to step in and take care of your plants to keep them healthy. Hellebores are designed to cross-pollinate, which means that most of the seeds inside the fat pods will come from two different parent plants. This means that they probably won’t be the same as the plant you chose that has the pods. Often, the seeds fall back into the clump, where they may eventually germinate and flower. This makes the parent plant less powerful by producing seedlings that aren’t as good. I always cut off all the flower stems before the pods split.
Lastly, we are often told to split our hardy perennials every three years and plant the healthy pieces in better soil. However hellebores, like hostas, are best left to mature into large clumps and not split. But without the chance to improve the soil, regular mulching and feeding in the autumn is wise.
Left to right: hellebore leaf spot; seed pods shed plentiful seeds when mature; hellebore black death
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Cutting back hellebore leaves
FAQ
When should hellebore leaves be cut back?
Do you cut down Lenten rose in the fall?
Are hellebores cut and come again?
When is the best time to cut off a hellebore plant?
November is the best time, but it’s not too late; simply cut off the old leaves of stemless kinds such as Helleborus × hybridus right at the base. The so-called hellebore black death is more serious. There is no cure for this virus disease and infected plants should be dug up and destroyed.
Can you cut back a hellebore?
After cleaning up the leaves and debris from around the base of the plant, you’re left with a fresh looking hellebore that’s ready to bloom! You can cut back the stems further than I did, but the longer stems prevent rotting out the center of the plant. They’ll be covered by new leaves soon enough.
When should you prune hellebores?
You may wonder why it matters when you prune hellebores. As it turns out, pruning hellebores at the proper time of year results in a more visually appealing display. The main reason for pruning hellebores is to remove the old foliage to make way for the emergence of new foliage and flower stalks from the center of the plant.
When should you cut back Helleborus X hybridus?
This process is explained in more depth underneath. Hellebores should be cut back either in the autumn or in mid-winter, depending on the variety. The easy-to-care-for and widely-grown Helleborus x hybridus, with its nodding flowers that tend to bloom in February and March, requires cutting back in late winter before the new growth appears.
