Christmas rose
noun
: a European evergreen herb (Helleborus niger) of the buttercup family that has usually white flowers produced in winter
Examples of Christmas rose in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hellebore Also known as Christmas rose, hellebores (Helleborus spp.) are some of the first perennials to bloom in late winter and early spring.
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Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
Rose-like blooms in shades of white, pink, and purple lend this plant its many common names, including Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) and Lenten rose (H. orientalis).
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
This particular one is Helleborus niger ‘Josef Lemper’, a Christmas rose.
—Janet Carson, Arkansas Online, 3 Jan. 2022
More specific common names include Lenten rose and Christmas rose.
—Tim Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 10 Apr. 2021
A number of holiday seasonal flora are toxic or can cause digestive upset to pets if nibbled or eaten, including amaryllis, Christmas cactus, Christmas rose, evergreens, holly, ivy, juniper, lilies, mistletoe and poinsettias.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Dec. 2020
The Christmas rose has evergreen leaves and blooms in January or February, which likely led to its popularity as winter decor.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2016
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Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
Rose-like blooms in shades of white, pink, and purple lend this plant its many common names, including Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) and Lenten rose (H. orientalis).
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
This particular one is Helleborus niger ‘Josef Lemper’, a Christmas rose.
—Janet Carson, Arkansas Online, 3 Jan. 2022
More specific common names include Lenten rose and Christmas rose.
—Tim Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 10 Apr. 2021
A number of holiday seasonal flora are toxic or can cause digestive upset to pets if nibbled or eaten, including amaryllis, Christmas cactus, Christmas rose, evergreens, holly, ivy, juniper, lilies, mistletoe and poinsettias.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Dec. 2020
The Christmas rose has evergreen leaves and blooms in January or February, which likely led to its popularity as winter decor.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2016
Cite this Entry
“Christmas rose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Christmas%20rose. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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