- What is the difference between Lenten rose and Christmas rose?
- Spring roses bloom later than Christmas roses
- Christmas roses are only available in white
- Differences in site selection
- Christmas roses and spring roses - easy to care for and robust
Christmas Roses and Lenten Roses look so similar that many home gardeners believe they are the same plant. However, that is not true. Although both perennials belong to the Helleborus family, they are different species. What is the difference between Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) and Christmas rose (Helleborus niger)?
Spring roses bloom later than Christmas roses
What is the difference between Lenten rose and Christmas rose?
- heyday
- flower color
- flower size
- preferred location
Spring roses bloom later than Christmas roses
The names of the two species already show that they have their main flowering period at different times. Both bloom during the cold season, but the Christmas rose opens its flowers at Christmas.
Lenten rose has its big appearance in spring. The flowering period begins in February and March and lasts a couple of weeks.
Christmas roses are only available in white
The Christmas rose only comes in one color, white. The flowers are smaller than those of the spring rose.
Spring roses are available in many colors - the palette ranges from white to yellow and pink to red and violet. Often the flowers are mottled inside.
Differences in site selection
Although both species belong to the Hellebore family, they have quite different requirements for their location.
The Christmas rose likes partial shade. The soil substrate should be clayey. Christmas roses also prefer calcareous soil.
The lenten rose, on the other hand, does not tolerate calcareous locations well. It likes a bright spot but can also tolerate partial shade or blazing sun. A good spot is under trees and shrubs that have not yet leafed out during the spring flowering period.
Christmas roses and spring roses - easy to care for and robust
In our latitudes, Christmas roses and Lenten roses are almost the only flowers that bloom even in the snow.
They are very easy to care for and do not need to be fertilized or watered in summer.
Both types are also suitable as cut flowers. The flowers are cut before they are fully open. The vase should be placed in a cool place.
tips
In addition to their very similar appearance, Christmas roses and Lenten roses have other things in common. Both types are planted in the fall. Propagation is by dividing the perennials in spring.