Hellebore refers to multiple species in the genus Helleborus, with Helleborus niger and Helleborus hybridus being among the most common. Helleborus niger are hardy in zones 3 through 8 and are sometimes called Christmas roses because of how early they bloom in warm regions. Helleborus hybridus generally bloom slightly later, earning them the name Lenten roses, and they are hardy in zones 4 through 9.  

Both species of hellebores appreciate full to partial shade and grow best in alkaline to neutral soil. While Lenten roses can grow up to 2 feet tall and almost 3 feet wide, Christmas roses generally stay smaller and rarely grow more than 1 foot tall. Hellebores are generally evergreen, with their tough leaves visible year-round, even in the dead of winter. Their flowers are also shockingly long-lasting because the colorful parts that look like petals are actually the plant’s sepals and can remain on the hellebore for months. Because hellebores are toxic, they are generally left alone by deer, squirrels, and other animals.

Source: housedigest.com