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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.

helleborus-pink-

Helleborus 'Pink Hybrid' (Hellebore)

Helleborus 'Pink Hybrid' is a delightful evergreen perennial that produces elegant pink flowers through winter and early spring when colour is most appreciated in the garden. Its attractive foliage and reliable flowering make it an excellent choice for shaded borders, woodland gardens, cottage gardens, and containers throughout New Zealand.

From $19.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 45 cm
Spread: 45 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
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Helleborus 'Apricot Hybrid' (Hellebore)

Helleborus 'Apricot Hybrid' is a charming evergreen perennial that produces elegant apricot toned flowers through winter and early spring. Its long flowering season and attractive foliage make it an excellent choice for shaded borders, woodland gardens, cottage gardens, and decorative containers throughout New Zealand.

From $19.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 40 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
helleborus-yellow-
Helleborus 'Yellow Hybrid' (Hellebore)

Helleborus 'Yellow Hybrid' is a beautiful evergreen perennial that produces soft yellow flowers through winter and early spring, bringing welcome...

From$19.95
helleborus-white-hybrid-
Helleborus 'White Hybrid' (Hellebore)

Helleborus 'White Hybrid' is a beautiful winter flowering perennial that produces elegant white blooms above lush evergreen foliage. It provides...

From$19.95
helleborus-white-magic-2
Helleborus 'White Magic' (Hellebore)

Helleborus 'White Magic' is a stunning evergreen perennial that produces masses of elegant white flowers through winter and early spring. Its long...

From$19.95
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...

From$22.95
Hedera helix 'Needlepoint' creeping stems with green foliage.
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...

From$14.95
leptospermum-blossom-2
Leptospermum 'Blossom'

Leptospermum 'Blossom' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its masses of soft coloured flowers and fine foliage. Flowering in spring, it creates...

From$27.53
Lomandra 'Katrinus Deluxe' plant with lush, dark green foliage.
Lomandra Katrinus Deluxe

Lomandra Katrinus Deluxe is an evergreen, ornamental grass known for its mid-green, arching foliage and tidy clumping habit. Growing to approximately...

From$17.87
elaeagnus-submacrophylla-3
Elaeagnus submacrophylla

Elaeagnus Submacrophylla is a robust, fast-growing evergreen shrub prized for its dense foliage and tolerance to coastal conditions. Perfect for...

From$532.39
elaeagnus-ebbingei-4
Elaeagnus ebbingei (Silverberry)

Elaeagnus Ebbingei is a tough, fast-growing evergreen shrub popular in New Zealand gardens for its dense, silver-green foliage and coastal tolerance...

From$28.91
Melia azedarach tree.
Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach (Bead Tree, White Cedar) is a graceful deciduous tree valued for its attractive fern like foliage, fragrant clusters of lilac...

From$387.55
Coprosma repens 'Middlemore' high-quality plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Coprosma 'Middlemore'

Coprosma 'Middlemore' is a hardy New Zealand native shrub valued for its dense bright green foliage and compact rounded growth habit. Well suited to...

From$17.95
Lomandra Little Pal plants with lush green foliage.
Lomandra Little Pal

Lomandra Little Pal is a compact ornamental grass grown for its fine, green-yellow foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to approximately 60 cm in...

From$19.25
Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' plants with green foliage and blue flowers growing in a garden bed.
Ajuga 'Catlins Giant'

Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' (Bugleweed Plant) is a vigorous evergreen groundcover valued for its large glossy dark green leaves and striking blue flower...

From$18.63
Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' lush, green foliage.
Pittosporum 'Mountain Green'

Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' is a robust New Zealand native shrub prized for its vibrant green foliage and dense growth. Perfect for creating privacy...

From$22.01
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Bergenia 'Snow Cloud'

Bergenia 'Snow Cloud' is a beautiful evergreen perennial admired for its masses of pure white flowers and bold glossy foliage. Flowering from late...

From$13.95
Hedera canariensis growing on a wall with green foliage.
Hedera canariensis

Hedera canariensis, commonly known as Canary Island Ivy, is a vigorous evergreen climber valued for its large, glossy green leaves and rapid growth...

From$17.95
Large Muehlenbeckia astonii shrub in a garden.
Muehlenbeckia astonii (Mingimingi)

Muehlenbeckia astonii, commonly known as the Wiggy Wig Bush or Shrubby Tororaro, is a distinctive New Zealand native shrub characterised by its...

From$20.63
Agapanthus streamline plant in flower.
Agapanthus 'Streamline'

Agapanthus 'Streamline' is a refined evergreen perennial valued for its narrow upright foliage and elegant blue flower heads held on slender stems...

From$13.95
Plagianthus regius as a small tree in a garden.
Plagianthus regius (Ribbonwood)

Plagianthus regius, commonly known as Ribbonwood or Manatu, is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing native trees. It can reach 10–15 metres tall and...

From$24.77
Agapanthus 'Snowball' pure white flower cluster.
Agapanthus 'Snowball'

Agapanthus 'Snowball' is an elegant evergreen perennial valued for its rounded heads of pure white flowers that sit neatly above lush green foliage...

From$12.95
Large Juniperus 'Kaizuka' trees as a cluster.
Juniperus chinensis Kaizuka

Juniperus 'Kaizuka', commonly known as the Hollywood Juniper tree or Torulosa Juniper, is an upright conifer with an oriental style. It bears...

From$270.40
An exquisite Tall Fescue lawn.
Tall Fescue

Tall Fescue is an excellent lawn grass choice for New Zealand homeowners seeking a dark green, tough, and attractive lawn. It is widely used by ready...

From$26.95
The best Citrus fertiliser in NZ
Citrus Fertiliser

Applying the correct citrus fertiliser in NZ is essential for achieving better quality fruit, higher yields, and a much healthier and...

From$16.95
Clonex Rooting Hormone one litre bottle.
Rooting Hormone (Rooting Hormone)

Clonex is the preferred rooting hormone for nurseries across NZ and the world. It is the industry standard for rooting softwood, semi-hardwood, and...

From$181.05
fruiting-plant-fertiliser-
Fruit Tree Fertiliser (Fruit Tree Fertiliser)

Fruiting plants respond well to fruit tree fertiliser with better quality produce, higher yields, and a much healthier and brighter looking plant...

From$16.95
victory-gold-herbicide-
Victory Gold - 1 Litre

Victory Gold is an herbicide used to control many types of broadleaf weeds in lawns. Susceptible weeds include: cape daisy, catsear, chickweed...

From$186.48
bahco-grafting-knife-1
Bahco Grafting Knife

This grafting knife from Bacho is the industry standard for all types of grafting including cleft, side approach, and air layering. The design...

From$107.10
tree-and-shrub-fertiliser-
Tree Fertiliser (Tree Fertiliser)

Using tree fertiliser results in plants having better quality foliage, more profuse flowering, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$16.95
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$16.95
ignite-herbicide-1
Ignite Herbicide

Ignite is a selective herbicide used to control foreign grasses in a Fine Fescue lawn. It is not to be used on Tall Fescue or any other lawn types...

From$329.37
Helleborus 'Pink Hybrid' (Hellebore)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Elaeagnus, Hedera, and Helleborus, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Grasses, and Perennials.

Search types of hellebores

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.

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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.

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