Description
The Christmas rose, Helleborus niger, is a perennial that grows wild in the Alps. Its Polish name refers to its white flowers, while the Latin "niger" (black) refers to its dark brown roots. It grows 20–30 cm tall and has thick, leathery, evergreen leaves divided into 7–9 segments on long stalks. The flowers are about 7 cm across, white at first, then turning pink and finally greenish at the end of flowering. They are borne singly or in twos or threes at the top of the stem. In countries with a mild climate it flowers in November and December and is a popular Christmas decoration – hence the name "Christmas rose". In Poland, depending on the weather, it flowers from January to April. It may even flower in autumn if mild temperatures last longer. It is suitable for forcing in pots, and plants of this species are increasingly sold in winter as pot plants.