Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Helleborus x hybridus 'Dorothy's Dawn'
Dorothy's Dawn Lenten Rose
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Height
- 12 to 24 inches
- Width
- 12 to 24 inches
- Flower color
- Light pink to rose, outward-facing blooms with cream-colored stamens
- Foliage color
- Evergreen, dark green with silver marbling and lavender-purple hues
- Bloom time
- February to April
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Moist, well-drained soil
- Maintenance
- Low; remove old foliage in late winter
- Growing zone
- USDA Zones 4 to 9
- Wildlife
- Attracts pollinators; deer and rabbit resistant
About this plant
Helleborus × hybridus 'Dorothy's Dawn' is an evergreen perennial developed by Rodney Davey as part of the Frostkiss® series. This cultivar blooms from mid-winter to mid-spring, typically from February through April, producing large, outward-facing flowers in soft to rosy pink hues with a central cluster of cream-colored stamens.
A notable feature of 'Dorothy's Dawn' is its leathery, divided leaves adorned with white marbling, and lavender-purple hues, becoming more pronounced during the winter months. This marbled foliage provides year-round interest, enhancing shaded gardens and containers. The plant's clump-forming habit and resilience make it a valuable addition to woodland gardens, offering both aesthetic appeal and durability.
Works well in
Borders · Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Rain Gardens
Companion plants
Japanese forest grass · Astilbes · Heucheras · Siberian bugloss · Sweet woodruff · Foamflowers
Design tip
Foliage and form do most of the work here, so lean on texture and repetition rather than one flowering moment. Cooler light suits it, so tuck it on the north side of a shrub or wall where the soil stays even.
