Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Helleborus x hybridus 'Fire and Ice'
Fire and Ice Lenten Rose
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Height
- 12 to 18 in
- Width
- 18 to 24 in
- Flower color
- White to pale pink petals edged with magenta to deep pink/red margins (picotee)
- Foliage color
- Evergreen, leathery, dark green leaves (semi-evergreen in colder climates)
- Bloom time
- Late winter through early spring
- Light
- Part shade to light shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low;, remove old or tattered foliage in late winter before new growth and flowers emerge
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 9
- Wildlife
- Early-season flowers provide nectar and pollen for winter/early-spring pollinators
About this plant
Helleborus × hybridus 'Fire and Ice' is an evergreen perennial that forms a low clump of leathery, dark green foliage from which nodding, double-flowered blooms emerge in late winter. The large flowers feature snow-white petals edged with a dramatic ring of rose-red, giving each bloom a softly glowing border with a pale center. Blossoms typically open between December and March, often extending into early spring, offering garden color when little else is in flower.
Developed as part of the Winter Jewels® series of hybrid Lenten roses, 'Fire and Ice' was selected for its clear white and red-edged blooms and reliable cold-season performance. Its combination of evergreen texture and long-lasting flowers makes it a fine choice for woodland borders, shaded beds, or containers where early-season charm is welcomed.
Works well in
Borders · Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Epimediums · Hostas · Bleeding hearts · Solomon's seal · Ferns · Lungworts
Design tip
Flowers in the quietest months make this worth a sheltered spot within sight of a window or door. Cooler light suits it, so tuck it on the north side of a shrub or wall where the soil stays even.
