Late hellebore planting

3 years ago

Hello! New to gardening this year. I have an area where I’ve planted several hellebore (among other perennials). I’ve been waiting for my last hellebore to arrive that I ordered months ago and it was definitely a no-show. I checked my order history and it appears my order never went through. Long story short, I have this empty spot for a hellebore that never arrived so I ordered another today. I’m in zone 5b (northwest PA) and I know the late planting date is close, if not past. Can someone give me some advice on late planting? Was it a mistake to try to plant this guy within the next week or so?

Thank you!

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

3 years ago

Depends on the size of the plant to begin with as to whether or not you will see flowers soon :-) Seedlings...perhaps not. But quart and gallon sized plants routinely bloom after planting.

And they are not at all fussy about soil pH. I have a garden full of rhododendrons so obviously an acidic soil but my hellebores are perfectly happy growing, unamended, right next to them

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Comments (9)

laceyvail 6A, WV
3 years ago
Leave it in the pot and just sink the pot into the ground until spring.
LauraLG Z5b-NwPA thanked laceyvail 6A, WV
rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I would have no issues planting (almost?) anything in the month of October and into November. (If the ground isnt frozen I dont think I see the difference between a plant in a pot in the ground or the plant in the ground).
LauraLG Z5b-NwPA thanked rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
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dbarron
3 years ago
And I planted hellebores in late Dec last year. Course my ground seldom if ever freezes.
LauraLG Z5b-NwPA thanked dbarron
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years ago
could depend on where it comes from.. and if it is hardened off at all to your zone 5 ....

you cant get a plant from a greenhouse lets say .. and plant it in z5 with a frost of freeze warning that night ...

i would just get a cardboard box ... big enough to fit over it.. and have it handy in case of real cold ...

otherwise... its a zone appropriate plant... and its not that late.. so dont worry about it ...

ken
LauraLG Z5b-NwPA thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Course my ground seldom if ever freezes.

I am in a zone 6 CDN and I bet the ground on my property more often than not doesnt freeze till into January. I recall planting a Japanese Maple almost into December and perennials in early December which survived just fine. (Of course I try to do planting earlier in the Fall but things happen)
diggerdee zone 6 CT
3 years ago
Same for me. I plant well into October - November, if "things happen" lol, which they always do. I don't recall if I specifically planted any hellebores that late, but in general I would think if you can get it in the ground in the next week you should be okay.

:)
Dee
LauraLG Z5b-NwPA thanked diggerdee zone 6 CT
Marie Tulin
3 years ago
I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer but don't expect much in the way of flowers.In

It takes hellebores a few years to 'bulk up' enough to produce flowers. And if you have acid soil don't forget a bit of lime. A piece of chalk will do to. Yes, yes, I know. Get your soil tested before you add "stuff" to your soil.
LauraLG Z5b-NwPA thanked Marie Tulin
LauraLG Z5b-NwPA
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you so much for all your contributions. I believe this hellebore is a bit of a small guy (plug) but the grower shipped it out today knowing how concerned I was about planting time. So, I’ll have it planted in a handful of days, mulch it well and hope for the best! It usually takes a bit of time for the ground to freeze here so I’m hopeful. Thanks again!