Go Back Lenten Rose Painted Strain

Posted: May 7, 2019 at 4:06 PM
Helleborus 'Painted Strain'
    Deer Resistant IconRock Garden Icon

    Plant Type: Perennials

    One look at the photo of Painted Strain and you'll know why this is such a popular variety with tremendous impulse appeal. Since it is from seed, each flower is a little different but like fireworks painted on a blank canvas, all have a light background speckled with bold shades of maroon, purple, and red. The effect is quite striking and the colors hold up well in the garden. Painted Strain produces large single flowers measuring 3-3+ inches across. This one is a vigorous grower. Hellebores are the harbingers of spring, blooming for six weeks or more beginning in late winter. This is the perfect plant for naturalizing in moist, woodland areas where its extensive root system will spread as far as it is allowed.

    Currently not available for online purchase.

    Growing & Maintenance Tips:

    Hellebores are enjoyable to grow because they are low-maintenance and disease/pest-free. Simply trim back last year's foliage in the spring. They can adapt to almost any growing conditions. Though they prefer rich, moist, organic soil, they will also grow in sandy or clay soil. They can even tolerate short periods of drought. The soil pH can range anywhere from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Hellebores are shade plants that need to be protected from the hot afternoon sun. They will grow in full shade under large deciduous trees as long as they receive full sun from winter to spring before the trees get their leaves. To increase the number of hellebores in your garden, mulch them heavily in the fall. The new seedlings will grow in this mulch come spring and can then be transplanted elsewhere in the garden.

    Flower Color

    Maroons, purples, and reds

    Foliage Color

    Dark green

    Plant Spread

    18-22 in.

    Good Companions

    Dicentra (Bleeding Heart-Fern leaved), Astilbe Younique Lilac (Astilbe), Aquilegia 'Cardinal', (Columbine) Hosta 'Halcyon', Pulmonaria saccharata 'Mrs. Moon' (Lungwort)

    Plant Height

    14-16 in.

    Scape Height

    —

    Hardness Zone

    4-8

    Soil Moisture

    Average and consistent water needs

    Characteristics & Attributes

    Attributes

    Border plants, Container, Cut flower or foliage, Drought Tolerant, Evergreen, Mass Planting, Salt Tolerant, Easy to grow

    Bloom Time

    Late winter/Early spring

    Critter Resistance

    Deer and rabbit resistant

    Exposure

    Full to part shade

    Growth Rate

    Slow

    Seasonal Interests

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