Lenten Rose ‘Anna’s Red’

Anna's Red is a hellebore with rich red-purple blooms on sturdy stems in late winter and early spring, when almost nothing else is flowering. The foliage is a feature in its own right: dark green leaves marbled with pink-silver veining when young.

Site it in shade or part shade with good drainage; under deciduous trees is classic, where it gets winter light and summer shade. Established plants handle dry shade well, and deer do not touch them. Cut back the oldest tattered leaves in January so the flowers stand clear.