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types of hellebores

If you’re searching for the perfect winter and early spring colour for your New Zealand garden, exploring the different types of hellebores is an excellent place to begin. Hellebores, also known as Lenten Roses or Winter Roses, are evergreen perennials prized for their resilience and variety of colours, shapes, and textures. With their shade-tolerant nature and long-lasting blooms, hellebores have become a staple in many kiwi gardens. In this guide, you’ll discover popular types of hellebores, what makes each unique, and how to choose the right varieties for your garden.

Hedera helix 'Needlepoint'

Hedera helix 'Needlepoint' is a refined evergreen ivy featuring small, deeply lobed leaves with a delicate, pointed shape. This compact and elegant variety provides year-round greenery and texture, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Buy Hedera helix 'Needlepoint'

From $14.95

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Climbers

Height: 2.50 m

Spread: 2.50 m

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy

Garden uses: Arches, Living areas, Pool areas, Screening, Walls

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern

Pittosporum 'Frankies Folly'

Pittosporum 'Frankies Folly' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its naturally rounded form and dense foliage. This hardy New Zealand native selection is valued for its tidy appearance and ability to create structure in garden plantings. The rich green leaves form a neat mound that looks attractive year round.

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From $26.15

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 70 cm

Spread: 90 cm

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Topiary

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Rock

Main Types of Hellebores

The hellebore family offers several species and cultivars, each with its own distinctive beauty and growing habit. Here are some of the most popular types of hellebores found in New Zealand gardens:

Helleborus orientalis and Hybrids (Lenten Rose)

These classic hellebores, including numerous hybrids, are best known for their wide colour spectrum—ranging from white and pink to deep plum and apricot. Many feature intriguing freckled or picotee-edged petals. For example, Helleborus White Picotee (Hellebore) exhibits elegant white blooms edged in magenta, perfect for adding subtle drama to your shaded borders.

Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose)

Famed for its early season flowers, usually appearing from late winter, Helleborus niger produces pristine white blooms that often age to light pink. While not as widely grown in New Zealand as other types of hellebores, its legend and charm are unmatched.

Corsican Hellebores

Known for their robust foliage and enduring flowers, Corsican hellebores include several striking cultivars. Helleborus Jacob Classic (Corsican Hellebore) shines with elegant, creamy green flowers, while Helleborus Elegance White (Corsican Hellebore) brings a light touch with its pale blooms. Varieties like Helleborus Pennys Pink (Corsican Hellebore) offer delightful pink-mauve shades that brighten up winter garden beds.

Helleborus x sternii

Helleborus x sternii varieties are prized for their attractive foliage, with serrated, marbled leaves and clusters of pale green or pinkish blooms. Helleborus sternii Clifton (Hellebore) is a standout for its silvery leaves and subtle flower tones, making it a favourite for woodland gardens or shady borders needing year-round appeal.

Growing and Using Hellebores

The many types of hellebores thrive in partial shade with well-drained soil. They’re perfect for planting beneath deciduous trees, creating groundcovers, or adding winter interest to mixed perennial beds. Their long-lasting, nectar-rich flowers also provide food for pollinators during the cooler months.

Whichever types of hellebores you choose, their low maintenance needs and robust elegance will reward your garden for years to come. Explore cultivars like Helleborus White Picotee (Hellebore), Helleborus Jacob Classic (Corsican Hellebore), or Helleborus Pennys Pink (Corsican Hellebore) to find the perfect fit for your landscape. With a little care, you’ll enjoy the enduring charm of hellebores each winter and spring.

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.

types of hellebores

Hedera helix 'Needlepoint'

Pittosporum 'Frankies Folly'

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Main Types of Hellebores