Lenten rose

Questions about Lenten rose

Does Lenten rose need sun or shade?

Lenten rose grows in part shade (2 to 4 hours of sun, mostly in the morning) and shade (less than 2 hours of direct sun, or bright dappled light).

It wants ordinary well-drained soil, rich in organic matter, and a good soak in dry spells.

What zones does Lenten rose grow in?

USDA zones 4 to 9. It is hardy to zone 4, which means it survives winter nights down to about −20 °F (−29 °C).

Gardening in Canada? Use the USDA zone for your town: Canada's own zone map uses different numbers.

When does Lenten rose flower in my zone?

In zone 5 it flowers late March to early May. As a spring flower it moves about a week for every zone: earlier where it is warmer, later where it is colder.

Worked out from Hopkins' bioclimatic law: spring arrives about four days later for each degree of latitude north, and one zone is roughly two degrees. A warm spring or a cold one moves any garden two weeks either way.

How far apart should Lenten rose be planted?

18 in (45 cm) apart, from the middle of one plant to the middle of the next. That is about its full width, so each plant keeps its own outline.

It grows 18 in (45 cm) tall. Give it the full distance from anything taller, or it will lean out towards the light.

How many Lenten rose plants do I need?

At 18 in apart, set out in staggered rows:

• 5 to fill 10 square feet (about 1 m²)
• 7 for a single row 10 ft (3 m) long
• 17 to fill a 4 × 8 ft bed on its own

In a mixed border, plant it as a group of three or five, with a second group further along in the other number.

In the bed above, the planner used three in one group.

Is Lenten rose poisonous to dogs and cats?

Yes: moderate toxicity to people, dogs, cats and horses. All parts are poisonous if eaten, and the sap can irritate skin. Wear gloves when cutting it back.

Rated from NC State Extension. Where references disagree, the more cautious rating is used.

Is there a pet-safe plant like Lenten rose?

These come closest to doing what Lenten rose does, and no toxicity is recorded for them:

• Coral bells 'Berry Smoothie': the same job in a bed and the same size; grown for its leaves, not its flowers, not evergreen.
• Brunnera 'Looking Glass': the same job in a bed; 4 in shorter, flowers late April to late May.

Matched the way the planner's Swap button matches plants: the same job in a bed, then size, then flowering time.

What flowers after Lenten rose?

Lenten rose is over by early May. These start as it finishes and carry the same spot on, so it never goes flat:

• Lady's mantle: from late May to early July, 18 in tall.
• Lily of the valley: from early May to late May, 8 in tall, to stand in front of it and cover its fading stems.
• Sweet woodruff: from early May to early June, 8 in tall, to stand in front of it and cover its fading stems.

What does Lenten rose look like in winter?

Lenten rose keeps its dark green leaves all winter, so it is one of the plants that hold a bed together from November to March, when the perennials have gone. It is grown for winter and early spring flowers in shade as well.