Images Depict Mature Plants
Helleborus ‘French Kiss’ (French Kiss Lenten Rose)
Helleborus x French Kiss
Helleborus ‘French Kiss’ is the kind of plant that transforms a winter landscape. Its large, romantic blooms bring warmth and charm to shaded spaces while the evergreen foliage keeps the garden alive year-round. Deer-resistant, low-maintenance, and incredibly hardy, French Kiss proves that winter gardens can be just as beautiful as spring ones.
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Elegant Pink-and-White Winter Blooms for Shade Gardens
Beautiful Bicolor Flowers That Brighten Winter Days
Helleborus ‘French Kiss’ enchants with large, saucer-shaped blooms in soft pink, brushed with white and rose veining. Each bloom looks hand-painted and appears in late winter to early spring—often while frost still lingers. These romantic flowers add warmth and life to the shaded corners of your garden just when color is most scarce.
Evergreen Foliage and Reliable Compact Growth
Reaching just 12–18 inches tall, French Kiss forms a neat, mounded habit of deep green, leathery leaves that remain evergreen year-round. Its strong stems hold the blooms upright above the foliage, ensuring every flower is visible. The dense, clumping growth makes it perfect for the front of shade borders, under trees, or in winter containers.
Easy-Care, Deer-Resistant, and Hardy
This Lenten Rose is exceptionally tough and long-lived. It thrives in partial to full shade and in moist, well-drained soil. Once established, it tolerates short dry spells and rarely needs division or replanting. Naturally deer- and rabbit-resistant, Helleborus ‘French Kiss’ delivers beauty without constant maintenance.
The Perfect Winter Pollinator Perennial
French Kiss is one of the first sources of nectar for early pollinators, such as bees, emerging in late winter. Its blooms last for months, aging gracefully into soft antique tones as spring progresses. Combine it with ferns, hostas, or heucheras to create a four-season shade garden full of texture and subtle elegance.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 12 to 18 Inches |
| Mature Width: | 18 to 24 Inches |
| Sunlight: | Partial to Full Shade |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate; regular moisture preferred |
| Flower Color | Pink & White Bicolor |
How to Care for Helleborus ‘French Kiss’ (French Kiss Lenten Rose)
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Helleborus ‘French Kiss’ plant for years to come!
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How should I plant Helleborus ‘French Kiss’?
Choose a site with partial to full shade and rich, well-draining soil. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. Place the plant so the crown is level with the soil surface, then backfill with a mix of compost and native soil. Water deeply to help roots settle. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to encourage airflow and allow for mature growth. Apply a light mulch layer to retain moisture but keep it away from the crown to prevent rot.
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How often should I water Helleborus ‘French Kiss’ after planting?
Water deeply once or twice a week during the first season to establish strong roots. Once mature, this hellebore requires little supplemental water except during prolonged dry spells. Container-grown plants may need more frequent watering—keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Mulching helps conserve moisture and maintain cool soil conditions.
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When should I fertilize Helleborus ‘French Kiss’?
Fertilize in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer or organic compost to encourage flowering and lush foliage. A light top-dressing of compost after bloom season helps maintain healthy soil and keeps the plant vigorous year after year. Avoid overfertilizing, which can reduce flower production.
When and how should I prune Helleborus ‘French Kiss’?
In late winter, remove any old or damaged leaves before buds emerge to showcase new flowers and prevent disease. After flowering, cut back spent blooms at the base. Do not cut healthy new leaves during the growing season—they provide year-round photosynthesis and structure. Routine cleanup keeps French Kiss looking neat and fresh.
