hellebores in summer

What to Do With Hellebores in Summer?

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Hellebores are a beautiful flower that can be found in many gardens. These delicate blooms are perfect for adding color to your garden, but what do you do when summer comes around? 

If you’re curious about what to do with Christmas rose or Lenten rose in summer, spring, fall, and even winter, don’t worry – this post is for you. There are lots of ways to maintain the attractive foliage and flowers of this gorgeous plant. 

Don’t worry – here’s how to keep your hellebores healthy during the summer months! 

Caring for Hellebores in the Summer

Wondering what to do with hellebores in summer in the UK, US, Canada or Australia? 

Here’s a quick guide to caring for your hellebores during the summer months, which is not the primary growing season for the hellebore plant.

The Basics of Hellebore

Before we dive into why hellebores seem to go dormant in summer, let’s talk about what they are. 

Hellebores are flowering perennials with gorgeous evergreen foliage that grow from bulbs or rhizomes (root systems). They typically come in shades of pink, white, yellow, and purple and bloom in winter first. There are many hellebore types you can grow too.

While they can survive through hot summers with enough watering and shade, they tend to slow their growth when conditions get too hot and dry. 

Water, Water Everywhere! 

The hellebore plant might be dormant during the summer months, but it’s still essential to care for it just as you would a more active specimen.

One of the most important things to remember about hellebores is that they need plenty of water. To ensure that your plants are getting enough water, make sure to give them a good soak every few days. 

If you’re experiencing particularly hot weather or drought-like conditions, you may need to water them daily. Also be sure to check the soil regularly – if it’s dry then it’s time to give your hellebores a drink. 

hellebore plant

Fertilize Your Flowers 

Another great way to keep your hellebores happy is by giving them regular fertilizer applications. 

Many people believe that it’s best to fertilize hellebore plants in the summer months, but that’s not true. Wait for the active growing season – the best time to fertilize is in early spring and late fall. 

A slow-release fertilizer will provide your blooms with all the nutrients they need throughout the season. Additionally, consider adding some compost or mulch around the base of each plant – this will help improve soil drainage and also retain moisture in hot weather.  

Keep an Eye on Pests 

Finally, it’s important to keep an eye out for any pests or diseases that might be plaguing your hellebore plants. Even though your plant might not be putting out new growth at this time, it can still be ravaged by pests – which can cause serious problems when growth begins come late winter or early spring.

Common pests include aphids, caterpillars, and slugs – all of which can cause serious damage if left unchecked. 

To combat these pests, try using organic methods such as introducing beneficial insects or using homemade solutions like garlic oil sprays or neem oil sprays. 

If your hellebore plants become infected with a disease, then pruning hellebores to get rid of them and protect any young new growth is essential. 

Do Hellebores Go Dormant in Summer?

When temperatures start to soar in midsummer, hellebores will often wilt and die off—but don’t worry! This is natural for these types of flowers as they enter a period of dormancy. 

During this time, the plant will pull energy back into its roots so it can survive during the hot months and emerge stronger later on. Growth begins in the hellebore garden in the fall or winter months, which is when you’ll see the most blooming. 

However, this doesn’t mean you should ignore your hellebore entirely; you still need to water it regularly (especially if it’s planted in direct sunlight) to ensure that it makes it through the heatwave unscathed! 

This is also an opportunity for you to grow some hellebore companions so you always have something to look at during hellebore dormancy.

What to Do With Hellebores When They Finish Flowering?

Ah, the sweet smell of spring and all its blooms. But what happens when those beloved hellebores are done flowering? Don’t worry—there are plenty of things you can do with them even after they’ve finished their season.

If you want to keep your hellebores around for next year, you can propagate cuttings from the plant. It’s best to do this in late summer or early fall once the flowers have died off. Cut a 5-inch stem from the mother plant and remove any dead or damaged leaves. Note that you’re not necessarily pruning hellebores at this time; you’re simply taking selections to make a new plant.

Then, place it in a pot filled with moist soil and lightly cover it. Place the pot in indirect sunlight and water regularly until roots begin to form. After that, you should be able to transplant it into a larger pot where it will continue growing until next spring! 

If you have your plants in the shade, now would be a great time to replant your hellebore plants. Dig up the existing plant and move it somewhere else where there is more sun or better soil conditions.

When Do You Cut Back Hellebores?

If you want to prune them back, now is also a good time for that—just be sure not to cut too much as this could stunt their growth next year!  And if you just don’t have room for them anymore, consider giving them away as gifts—they make great housewarming presents! 

After they’re finished flowering, you can turn your hellebore blooms into dried flowers! This is an easy way to preserve their beauty for years to come. To dry out hellebore blooms, first gather them together and tie a string around the stems tightly so they stay together. 

Hang them upside down in a cool dark place like a closet or basement until they are completely dry (this usually takes 1-2 weeks). Once they are dry, carefully remove the flower heads from their stems and store them away in an airtight container until you’re ready to use them as decorations! 

Final Thoughts

Taking proper care of your Christmas rose plants during the summer months will ensure that they stay healthy and vibrant throughout the season. Make sure to give them enough water on a regular basis and apply fertilizer when necessary. Monitor for any pests or diseases that could harm your flowers and take steps to eliminate them quickly if needed. 

With just a few simple steps, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful blooms all summer long! Don’t forget to learn more about hellebore symbolism if you love this plant.

*image by dreamypixel/depositphotos

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