Companions For Hellebores – Learn What To Plant With Hellebores


Hellebore is a shade-loving perennial that bursts forth in rose-like blooms when the last traces of winter still have a tight grip on the garden. While there are several hellebore species, Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) and Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) are the most common in American gardens, growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 8 and 4 through 9, respectively. If you’re smitten with the lovely little plant, you may be wondering what to plant with hellebores. Read on for helpful suggestions about companion planting with hellebores.
Hellebore Plant Companions
Evergreen plants make great hellebore companion plants, serving as a dark backdrop that makes the bright colors pop in contrast. Many shade-loving perennials are attractive companions for hellebores, as are bulbs that bloom in early spring. Hellebore also gets along well with woodland plants that share similar growing conditions. When selecting hellebore companion plants, beware of large or fast-growing plants that can be overwhelming when planted as hellebore companion plants. Although hellebores are long-lived, they are relatively slow growers that take time to spread. Here are just a handful of the many plants suitable for companion planting with hellebores: Evergreen ferns
- Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), Zones 3-9
- Japanese tassel fern (Polystichum polyblepharum), Zones 5-8
- Hart’s tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium), Zones 5-9
Dwarf evergreen shrubs
- Girard’s Crimson (Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Crimson’), Zones 5-8
- Girard’s Fuschia (Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Fuschia’), Zones 5-8
- Christmas box (Sarcococca confusa), Zones 6-8
Bulbs
- Daffodils (Narcissus), Zones 3-8
- Snowdrops (Galanthus), Zones 3-8
- Crocus, Zones 3-8
- Grape hyacinth (Muscari), Zones 3-9
Shade-loving perennials
- Bleeding heart (Dicentra), Zones 3-9
- Foxglove (Digitalis), Zones 4-8
- Lungwort (Pulmonaria), Zones 3-8
- Trillium, Zones 4-9
- Hosta, Zones 3-9
- Cyclamen (Cyclamen spp.), Zones 5-9
- Wild ginger (Asarium spp.), Zones 3-7
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our most popular eBook "How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes."

A Credentialed Garden Writer, Mary H. Dyer was with Gardening Know How in the very beginning, publishing articles as early as 2007.
-
Pantone’s Color Of The Year 2024 Is A Gardener’s Dream – Discover 7 Flowers That Are ‘Peach Fuzz’ Perfection
The global authority on color has spoken, and 'Peach Fuzz' is the shade we'll all be seeking out in the coming year. Find out why this gorgeous pinky orange deserves a place in your garden, and be inspired by our top flower picks
By Melanie Griffiths Published
-
15 Garden Trends To Avoid in 2024: Experts Warn Against These Outdated Designs
Garden trends come and go. We asked gardening experts to share the outdated trends that should be retired – and what you can do instead.
By Melanie Griffiths Last updated