Last updated on May 20th, 2023 at 09:39 pm

Christmas rose is a flower that will bloom in your garden in the winter and turn it beautiful. Who wouldn’t be delighted to see plants that flower in December? 

The scientific name of the Christmas rose is Hellebore. The Christmas rose, or the Helleborus Niger, grows from November to March. The flowers of this plant are white. The flower has big sepals, and the stamens in the middle look like a crown. The petals and stamens are in the center, and the sepals protect them.

You might be thinking about the Christmas rose flower’s meaning or what the name of its genus, i.e., ‘Helleborus,’ means. The plant is potentially poisonous; thus, the name was derived from ‘elein,’ which is Greek for ‘to injure,’ and ‘bora,’ meaning ‘food.’ The Christmas rose flower is not a rose and belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. It is called so because the fragrance of this flower resembles that of a rose. 

Christmas rose is also referred to as the ‘Pioneer Plant.’ The flower used to grow in the mountainous regions of Asia Minor and south and Central Europe. Later it was brought to America when the Christmas rose flower meaning became survival and pioneering.

What does the Christmas Rose flower symbolize?

The meaning of the Christmas rose flower can be contrasted. On the one hand, it symbolizes tranquility, serenity, and peace. On the other hand, it stands for anxiousness or impropriety.

During the Middle Ages, these flowers drove away evil spirits. People used to plant them beside the entrance of their houses.

The Christmas rose has been mentioned in Greek mythology. According to it, Melampus of Pylos, a healer, used it to treat King Argos’ daughters. The daughters had a mental illness, and they used to run naked, running across the city. It was believed that the illness spread among other women too. Melampus, the soothsayer, cured the daughters by treating them with Helleborus.

The Christmas rose has a legend attached to it, which makes it a symbol of hope and love. This flower symbolizes hope because it is associated with Jesus and Mary. You should find out about the legend regarding the shepherdess Madelon and the birth of Christ. 

The meaning of the Christmas rose flower is also purity. You will find these flowers carved into confessionals.

All in all, the Christmas rose flower symbolic meanings are:

  • purity
  • hope
  • love
  • serenity
  • tranquility
  • peace

Meaning of the Christmas Rose flower colors

White color

White is a pure, modest, and spiritual color. A white Christmas rose flower represents innocence, respect, uprightness, and comfort. You can send these flowers to someone who’s bereaved to show your sympathy. A bouquet of these flowers can also symbolize apology and respect.

Black color

Black is a spooky color and is a symbol of end or death. If you want to end the relationship with someone, you can send them black Christmas rose. Black flowers look mysterious and represent elusiveness too.

Pink color

Pink is a beautiful and feminine color, and the pink Christmas rose flower’s meaning can be love, elegance, gentleness, delight, and happiness. If you want to express your appreciation towards somebody, you can give a pink Christmas rose to them. It will be a good gift to show affection to your romantic partner.

Purple color

Purple Christmas roses are ceremonious and royal. Purple symbolizes pride, triumph, and dignity. If you want to congratulate someone on their accomplishment, you can give them purple Christmas rose flowers.

Yellow color

Yellow is a happy color. A yellow Christmas flower symbolizes achievement and pride. You can give yellow flowers to your friends as these Christmas flowers can make people joyful.

Green color

The green color is a symbol of fertility, peace, and luxury. If someone is not well, and you want to wish them a speedy recovery, you can send green Christmas rose flowers to them. A green flower reminds people of spring and represents rebirth. You can also give these flowers to congratulate someone starting a new life phase.

Interesting facts about the Christmas Rose flowers

  • Melampus, a physician, first mentioned the Christmas rose way back in 1400 B.C.
  • Frost or snow does not affect the Christmas rose. If it snows, the plant might droop, but it will straighten itself as soon as the temperature starts warming up.
  • Hellebore flowers have sepals and not typical petals.
  • Stamens and tiny petals in the middle of the sepals make the actual flower.
  • The sepals don’t die until the plant does.
  • It was used in herbal remedies.
  • Ingestion of Christmas rose can cause abdominal cramps, salivation, diarrhea, and can kill.
  • Alexander the Great possibly died from Hellebore poisoning during his treatment.

How to grow Christmas Rose flowers

A common ornamental with evergreen leaves and rose-shaped flowers is the Christmas rose. It blooms in a variety of colors from late winter through April. It can be used as a border in the garden or as pots for home decoration.

  1. Plant the Christmas rose in well-drained, fertile sandy soil.
  2. Avoid planting them in dry or windy areas.
  3. Allowing them 3 hours of light every day is optimal.
  4. In the summer, shade it or relocate it to a cooler location; otherwise, the leaves may turn yellow.
  5. When the topsoil is dry, water it. The water is barely enough to keep the soil from drying out.
  6. Once a year, in late summer, apply an organic or slow-release fertilizer.

How to care for Christmas Rose flowers

  1. Keep the Christmas rose in fresh, moist soil.
  2. Ensure sufficient watering, especially during the flowering period from November to February.
  3. Apply a mulch layer of compost or leaves, a suitable fertilizer for Christmas roses.
  4. Cut the withered flower stalks.
  5. Removed the old foliage when completely withered.

Best time to gift Christmas Rose flowers

As the name suggests, Christmas is the best time to give these flowers to someone. A Christmas bouquet made of these flowers will be a great replacement for the usual roses. Spread festive warmth by gifting Christmas roses. If you want to add these plants to your list of Christmas gifts, buy them in the second week of December.

The Christmas rose flowers have the potential to be toxic and can cause skin irritations, among other things. Care should be taken to keep it out of reach of children and animals. A safer way of giving a Christmas rose as a gift is to give its seeds to someone. It is a gift that keeps giving as the flowers bloom every winter.

You can give Christmas rose flowers as gifts to seniors, nature lovers, colleagues, and anyone who favors flowers over edible gifts.

Conclusion

The legend of the Christmas rose is among the numerous miracles associated with Christmas. Though numerous stories are told in the spirit of the holiday season, the Christmas rose flower symbolizes love, hope, and all that is beautiful.

These flowers come in a variety of hues and have no fragrance. They also do not look good in a vase as a cut arrangement. Cut the flowers without the stems and float them in a shallow water bowl to create a magnificent display of what Christmas is all about: the selfless giving of love.

If you want to know and learn more about flowers, we at PansyMaiden can help you. Check out our fun, easy-to-read, and informative flower-related content that you will surely enjoy!