Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

lenten rose plant

The lenten rose plant, known for its nodding, rose-like blooms that brave the chill of late winter, is an exquisite addition to New Zealand gardens. Gardeners are drawn to this resilient perennial for its beautiful evergreen foliage and early season colour when most other plants are dormant. Although not a true rose, the lenten rose plant is a type of hellebore, and its unique flowers—ranging from creamy whites to dusky pinks and purples—create an elegant understorey in shady garden beds or woodland borders. Its ease of care coupled with impressive pest and disease resistance makes the lenten rose plant a favourite among both novice and seasoned gardeners.

Helleborus orientalis with colourful pink flowers.

Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose)

Helleborus orientalis, commonly known as Lenten Rose, is a hardy perennial prized for its elegant winter and early spring blooms. Flowers appear in shades of white, pink, plum, and green, often with striking speckled centres, bringing colour when few other plants flower. Growing 40–60 cm tall, it thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil. Evergreen foliage adds year-round appeal, making it ideal for shaded borders, under trees, or as a feature plant in NZ gardens.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Stromanthe triostar plant.

Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant)

Stromanthe Triostar is a popular indoor plant owing to its lush and colourful foliage. It features elegant, dark green, pink, and cream-coloured leaves and grows compactly to about 50 cm tall and 40 cm wide. Stromanthe Triostar makes for a wonderful office and house plant and is great for bringing colour and joy to a space.

Suited to regions: Subtropical
Plant type: Indoor Plants
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern, Tropical
rose-diamonds-forever-
Rose Diamonds Forever

Rose Diamonds Forever is a popular shrub rose that features masses fragrant, soft-yellow flowers. The showy blooms emerge in spring and continue...

From$44.09
Rose 'Felicite Perpetue' double, white flowers on a scrambing shrub.
Rose 'Felicite Perpetue

Rose 'Felicite Perpetue' is a beautiful rambling rose prized for its clusters of soft blush white flowers and graceful arching growth. This classic...

From$26.91
rose-violet-serenity-
Rose Simplicity Violet Serenity

“Violet Serenity” is a magnificent small, shrub rose owing to its colourful display of bright pink flowers. The showy blooms are borne as clusters...

From$35.81
rose-anniversary-
Rose Anniversary

Rose Anniversary is an award winning, Floribunda shrub rose that features masses of showy, soft-pink flowers. The amazing blooms emerge in spring and...

From$38.57
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum (Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum comosum Variegatum, commonly known as the Spider Plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush and variegated foliage. It...

From$20.01
climbing-rose-albertine-
Rose Albertine

Rose Albertine is a climbing rose featuring very showy, salmon-pink flowers. The highly fragrant blooms emerge in spring and continue until autumn...

From$30.29
rose-ann-turner-climbing-
Rose Ann Turner

Rose Ann Turner is a climbing rose that features masses of double, pink flowers. The blooms emerge in spring and continue until autumn provided the...

From$30.29
rose-ginger-kisses--2
Rose Ginger Kisses

Rose Ginger Kisses is a popular shrub rose that features gorgeous, burnt orange flowers. The fragrant blooms emerge in spring and continue until...

From$44.09
Rose 'Flower Carpet White' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Rose 'Flower Carpet White'

Rose 'Flower Carpet White' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its masses of pure white flowers and exceptional disease resistance. This tough...

From$26.91
rose-flower-carpet-gold--1
Rose Flower Carpet Gold

Rose Flower Carpet Gold is a popular ground cover rose that features masses of showy, yellow flowers. Flowering begins in spring and will continue...

From$34.43
rose-raspberry-ice-5
Rose Raspberry Ice

“Raspberry Ice” is a Floribunda shrub rose that features large and showy flowers that are cream with a raspberry coloured margin. The lightly...

From$44.09
An elegant Cistus lusitanicus white flower with red spots.
Cistus lusitanicus (Rock Rose)

Cistus lusitanicus, commonly known as the Gum Cistus, is a striking evergreen shrub valued for its large, white blooms marked with deep crimson spots...

From$24.77
White flowers on a Cistus 'Snowmound' plant with green foliage.
Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Cistus ‘Snowmound’ is a compact evergreen shrub that produces a breathtaking display of pure white flowers with golden-yellow centres from late...

From$24.77
Rhododendron 'Java Rose' rose-pink flowers.
Rhododendron 'Java Rose'

Rhododendron 'Java Rose' is a beautiful evergreen shrub known for its large trusses of soft rose pink flowers that appear during spring. The elegant...

From$28.91
rose-flower-carpet-pink-
Rose Flower Carpet Pink

Rose Flower Carpet Pink features large trusses of semi-double, pink flowers. Flowering begins in spring and continues until autumn provided the spent...

From$34.43
An exquisite flower on 'White Romance' Rose.
Rose White Romance

“White Romance” is a very popular shrub rose that features masses pure white flowers. The showy blooms emerge in spring and continue until autumn...

From$38.57
super-shield-rose-spray-1
Super Shield Rose Spray – 1 Litre

This multipurpose spray is designed to control most common pests and diseases that affect roses. That includes blackspot, aphids, rust, powdery...

From$156.96
rose-flower-carpet-scarlet-
Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet

Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet is a ground cover rose that features masses of showy, scarlet red flowers. The flowers are complemented with glossy, dark...

From$33.81
rose-fertiliser-
Rose Fertiliser

Roses respond exceptionally well to rose fertiliser with better quality flowers and foliage, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$13.40
Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' growing on a pergola and featuring masses of stunning yellow flowers.
Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' (Banksia Rose)

Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' (Yellow Banksia Rose) is a stunning climbing rose admired for its masses of soft yellow double flowers produced in spring. This...

From$30.29
Purple flowers on Burgundy Iceberg Rose.
Rose 'Burgundy Iceberg'

Rosa ‘Burgundy Iceberg’ is a stunning floribunda rose producing masses of deep burgundy-red, lightly fragrant blooms from spring through autumn. Its...

From$38.57
weigela-wine-and-roses-2
Weigela 'Wine And Roses'

Weigela 'Wine and Roses' is a striking deciduous shrub renowned for its rich burgundy purple foliage and masses of vibrant rosy pink trumpet shaped...

From$25.53
iris-rose-queen-
Iris Rose Queen (Japanese Water Iris)

“Rose Queen” is a variety of Japanese Water Iris that produces spectacular flowers. The showy, two-tone pink blooms are borne atop sturdy stems in...

From$27.53
An informal hedge of 'Iceberg' rose plants with masses of white flowers.
iceberg-roses iceberg-roses

Rosa ‘Iceberg’, one of the world’s most popular roses, is a reliable floribunda variety producing masses of pure white, lightly fragrant blooms from...

From$38.57
camellia-japonica-red-red-rose-3
Camellia 'Red Red Rose'

Camellia 'Red Red Rose' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms that bring bold colour and elegance to New Zealand gardens...

From$32.95
A strong and studry planting spade.
Ace1 Planting Spade

The Ace 1 planting spade is a must for any gardener. This spade is designed so it can penetrate the ground easily without jarring the wrists in the...

From$225.86
indoor-plant-fertiliser-tablets-1
Indoor Plant Fertiliser Tablets

Indoor plants require feeding from the time you get them home as nurseries typically only put enough fertiliser in the pots to last 4-8 weeks after...

From$36.00
15-litre-plant-pots-
1.5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$27.36
3-litre-plant-pots-
3.5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost-effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$48.96
indoor-plant-fertiliser-
Indoor Plant Fertiliser

All potted plants require indoor plant fertiliser. This is particularly important as many nurseries only put enough fertiliser in the pots to last...

From$13.40
Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Chlorophytum, Helleborus, and Rose, or related Categories - Indoor Plants, Perennials, and Bush Roses.

Search lenten rose plant

Why Choose the Lenten Rose Plant for Your Garden

There are plenty of reasons to make space for the lenten rose plant in your landscape. This hardy perennial not only tolerates but thrives in the cool, damp conditions typical of many New Zealand gardens. Blooming from late winter through early spring, the lenten rose plant offers welcome bursts of colour at a time when most other plants lie dormant. Its leathery, deep green leaves provide year-round texture and structure, while its flowers are deer- and rabbit-resistant, perfect for gardens where these unwelcome visitors roam.

As a shade-loving perennial, the lenten rose plant pairs beautifully with a variety of other woodland and shade-tolerant companions. Combine it with bulbs for a succession of early flowers, or with textured foliage plants for depth and contrast in a shaded border.

Caring for Your Lenten Rose Plant

The lenten rose plant is remarkably low-maintenance once established, needing just a few key things to thrive:

Avoid planting where water pools, as hellebores loathe soggy conditions. Periodically trim away old leaves to keep new growth healthy and to showcase the striking flower display.

Discover More Beautiful and Unusual Perennials

The lenten rose plant is part of a larger family of shade-tolerant treasures. If you’d like to explore more, try the Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose) for a range of colour forms. For those looking for complementary plants, the Portulaca Pazzaz Sunset (Moss Rose Plant) offers a vivid summer display in sunny spaces, while the Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant) brings dramatic, patterned foliage indoors. Gardeners searching for classic, easy-care blooms might enjoy the Hemerocallis Rose Cherub (Rose Daylily). For delicate, year-round interest in smaller gardens or patio pots, consider the Serissa Snowflake (Snow Rose Plant).

The lenten rose plant stands out as a winter and early spring focal point, lending timeless beauty, resilience, and ease to gardens throughout New Zealand. Whether you’re establishing a woodland oasis or refreshing a shaded corner, this enduring perennial is sure to delight for years to come.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald' and Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood) may be the stars of the show, but unsung heroes like Hypoestes 'Splash Red', Olive 'Rakino', and Liriope 'Samantha' deserve a moment in the sun.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews