A white Christmas! This is a wish that comes back every year. Because a thick blanket of snow makes the gray nature disappear and at the same time conjures up a festive atmosphere. But just then the Christmas rose is about to fully bloom. How does she cope with snow?
Do Christmas roses also bloom in the snow?
Yes, Christmas roses bloom in the snow, which is why they are also called snow roses. The white snow cannot harm the white flowers, at most it can reduce their visibility. For a lush flowering period, a location in partial shade and a little water every now and then are much more important.
When exactly do Christmas roses bloom?
Christmas roses (Helleborus niger) bloom in winter, around the time we celebrate the birth of Christ. This flowering period during the holidays also gave the winter perennial the name Christmas rose and Christmas rose. Depending on the variety and the weather, Christmas rose blossoms can openfrom Novemberand can be seenuntil March. The related Lent rose, which is often mistaken for a Christmas rose, blooms a little later and is more colorful than the pure white Christmas rose.
My Christmas rose looks frozen, why?
Don't worry, the extremely winter-hardy Christmas roses even survive temperatures above -10 °C. This explains why many perennials can live up to 30 years, even in Germany. Survival is possible precisely because Christmas roses hang their heads.
- Water is withdrawn from the pipelines
- Frost can't make them burst anymore
- the plant appearstemporarily weak
- rights itself up again when temperatures rise
- the flowers are not damaged
It can be assumed that you can observe thisprotective reaction against frost in your plant. It won't hurt if you cover it with some pine branches to make it a little easier for it to survive.
How do I care for Christmas roses in the snow?
Admire, admire, admire. That's the appropriate reaction to a Christmas rose in the snow. Ideally, you should have done this bit of winter care before the first snowflake falls on it. Cut off old and diseased leaves as soon as the first flowers appear, this keeps fungal diseases away and snails cannot find a hiding place from which to eat fresh growth. If the perennial is already suffering from black spot disease, cut and dispose of the leaves immediately. WateringNot when there is frost, buton frost-free days moderately and regularly.
Tip
Caution: Christmas roses in pots can freeze
Christmas roses are hardy. But they only show this characteristic when planted out in beds; in pots, their frost tolerance is significantly lower. If your potted Christmas rose cannot overwinter indoors, at least place it on a protected wall and wrap the pot up nice and warm.
