Hellebores for Cut Flowers

April 21, 2025

Before there were flowers and our farm in Agawam, I was growing asparagus in Hadley. This time of year, locals would start stopping by my little roadside stand, asking if it was time yet for the first spears. For many, the arrival of Hadley’s famous asparagus meant spring had truly begun—so tender you could eat it right out of the field.

These days, my seasons start a little differently. In this new chapter, spring flowers arrive long before the asparagus does. Even as the last cold winds rattle the high tunnels, color, fragrance, and texture begin to emerge—first from an understated bulb, and then from one very special perennial.

In our yard and hedgerows, spring sneaks up on us—muscari poking through the lawn, daffodils and hyacinths racing each other to the sunlight. Most visitors to the farm recognize these blooms: hyacinths, daffodils, tulips—old friends returning after another trip around the sun.

But there’s another early bloomer that might not be as familiar. Often called the Lenten Rose or Christmas Rose, hellebores are a quiet presence in the spring garden—easy to overlook until you know what you're looking for.

Hellebores are hardy perennials that thrive in our region (zones 5b–6b). Despite long New England winters, they bloom in late winter and early spring, often before the crocus or trilliums appear. Some gardeners pair them with snowdrops for a true winter garden. With rose-like blooms and deep evergreen leaves, they’re a beautiful choice for shady gardens and woodland edges—and once you spot them, you’ll wonder how you ever missed them.

Please note that hellebores are not meant for eating and can cause discomfort if ingested by people or pets. If you have young children or curious animals, it’s worth considering whether they’re the right fit for your garden. That said, many gardeners appreciate this trait—rabbits and deer tend to leave hellebores alone, especially after snacking on tulips.

You could plant hellebores in your garden at this time of year, while it’s still cool. Choose a spot with rich, moist, well-drained soil and partial shade or dappled light. If you plant them under deciduous trees, they’ll enjoy the winter sun and benefit from summer shade once the canopy fills in.

We’ve planted ours as an understory in our perennial beds, where flowering shrubs and young trees will eventually grow up around them. The stems grow in clumps, reaching 12–24 inches tall, so give each plant 18–24 inches of space. Once established after the first year, they’re surprisingly drought tolerant and ask for very little—just a quiet place to bloom early and reliably, year after year.

Here on the farm, I plant the Helleborus FrostkissⓇ series. These hybrids yield super strong, hardy hellebores with colourful flowers and beautiful, marbled leaves. They can also tolerate more heat. We include hellebores in our spring flower arrangements, and if the weather remains cool, they may make appearances in our flower bouquet subscriptions. I am hopeful there will still be hellebore flowers for our Mother’s Day Brunch, but if not, we will have other beautiful blossoms to celebrate Mom. 

We’re always here and ready to help you make your flower dreams come true. Whether you need a little support with your home garden, or a bouquet to bring to dinner, we’ve got you covered. As the days get warmer, shop our self-serve farmstand year-round. It’s open daily from 10AM until dusk and don’t forget the online shop has ready-to-plant flower collections to make your garden sparkle.

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