This Winter Plant Adds Instant Magic to a Garden – So Don’t Be Put Off By Its Ugly Name!
Here’s what you need to know about this underrated faeriecore staple.
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet… but would it really still be as popular if we referred to it as a stink flower? Probably not, as this beloved winter plant has learned the hard way.
Still, if you’re looking for hardy winter interest that punches above its weight, then do us a favor and don’t sleep on the stinking hellebore (Helleborus foetidus). Because, in spite of its… well, let’s call it its unusual name, this perennial is a welcomed winter and early spring performer in many gardens across the US.
Even better? This faeriecore bloom thrives in shaded areas where few plants bloom. Win!
The Stinking Hellebore
Wondering about the name, huh? Well, it comes from the plant’s foliage, which emits a noticeable scent only when crushed or bruised. Don’t panic, though, as this isn’t usually a feature you encounter in the garden unless you’re handling the plant directly – and most gardeners find the architectural foliage and early blooms far outweigh any mild odor when leaves are pressed. Promise.
If we’ve gotten you convinced, stinking hellebore (available at Rare Roots) thrives in USDA Planting Zones 5-9, and performs well in partial to light shade and in rich, well-drained soil. Its evergreen leaves add year-round texture, making it especially valuable in winter beds, woodland gardens, or any darker spot where early pollinators may like to pay a visit on warmer days.
This hellebore’s slow, steady growth habit means it won’t outgrow its space, and its muted flower colours contrast beautifully with winter-blooming plants like snowdrops, hellebores of other species, or shade perennials.
And, while not highly fragrant (not in the traditional sense, anyway), its early blooms and evergreen presence make it a thoughtful and distinctive addition to any garden. So long as you plant it in partial shade with consistent moisture and well-drained soil, of course.
Over time, you'll find it will come to slowly colonizes small areas, rambling through your garden and transforming it into something resembling a winter wonderland. And that's with barely any input from you, too; just mulch in late fall to keep it hydrated and, y'know, protect its roots if you're in a colder climate.
Keen to give it a go? We don't blame you! The trick is to pair your stinking hellebore with other sources of winter interest; early lenten roses, evergreen ferns, winter aconite, and snowdrops all make natural companions, helping to create layers of texture and color when the rest of the garden is still largely dormant.
Use stinking hellebore's bold, architectural foliage to provide a structural backdrop, basically, and shine the spotlight on the smaller winter bulbs woven in and out around its base.
Other Hellebores To Try:
The luminous pale-pink blooms of this lenten rose deepen to a bold cranberry-pink over time.
Romantically downturned blooms of classic green and white? We love this stunning hellebore.
In the market for blushing plum stems atop silver veined green foliage? Why wouldn't you be, quite frankly.
Despite its unfortunate name, then, stinking hellebore is quietly one of the most reliable performers in the winter garden. It asks for very little, tolerates difficult conditions, and rewards patience with long-lasting foliage and early blooms when gardeners need them most.
It’s the kind of whimsical plant that earns its place year after year, quite frankly. And, in the depths of winter, when color and life feel scarce, plants like this matter. Stinking hellebore may never steal the show, but it will gift you something arguably more valuable: subtle beauty, plenty of faeriecore magic, and the reassurance that the garden is already stirring, long before spring officially arrives.
