Gold Collection® Merlin Lenten Rose

Helleborus x 'Merlin'

Nature Hills Nursery

Merlin Helleborus Blooms Transform from Pale Pink to Cranberry Red as They Age
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Grows 1-2 ft Tall and Wide
Showy Pink Blooms From Late Winter to Late Spring
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant

$50²⁸

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Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Provide 2 to 4 hours of morning sun or dappled light throughout the day. While these plants tolerate deep shade, some light is necessary to maximize the intensity of the pink and cranberry bloom colors.
Soil: Plant in rich, organic soil that drains effectively. If you have heavy clay, mix in finished compost or aged bark to prevent standing water from rotting the crown.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water twice a week to keep the soil consistently moist while the root system expands. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant once established, but providing a deep soak during extreme summer heat prevents the foliage from drooping and keeps the plant vigorous for the next blooming cycle.

Pruning Tips

In late winter, before the flower buds emerge from the center, clip off all of last year’s tattered or leathery leaves near the base. Think of this like a fresh haircut that removes old, weathered growth so the new flowers can take center stage without being hidden or catching fungal leaf spots.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer or a shovelful of compost around the base of the plant in early spring. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers in late summer because this encourages tender new growth that will likely be killed off by the first hard freeze of winter.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Evergreen, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Drought resistant, Heat Tolerant, Attracts pollinators, Container Friendly, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Partial shade
Height	1-2 ft
Width	1-2 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Peaty
Growth Rate	Slow
Growth Habit	Compact, Spreading
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Spring, Winter
Flower Color	Pink
Foliage Color	Green
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Helleborus x 'COSEH 810'
Species	x
Cultivar	COSEH 810
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Presto Chango! Gold Collection® Merlin Lenten Rose

Long-Lasting, Color-Changing Blooms from Late Winter Through Early Spring
Lovely Flowers Start Creamy, Pale Pink, Age to Cranberry
Study These Outward-Facing Flowers
Excellent Early Nectar for Pollinators
Use as Lovely Cut Flowers
Lusciously Dark Green Foliage
Mounding Shape
Grow in Full to Partial Shade
Compact Focal Point
Easy Care
Heat Tolerant
Deer Rarely Bother This Plant

Spectacular Gold Collection® Merlin Lenten Rose (Helleborus x 'COSEH 810') gives you something to look forward to all winter! These stunning, color-changing blooms start off a luminous pale-pink, but deepen to a bold cranberry-pink.

Best of all, these stunning plants give you colorful flowers at an otherwise bleak time of year. These welcome flowers start in late winter, and last all the way through early spring!

Free-flowering Merlin can provide up to 60 blooms on average. Each bloom is accented with a magically intricate center of stamens and anthers.

Although they look tender...rugged Hellebores are actually tough as nails. They make a marvelous addition with spring-flowering bulbs in a high-profile spot with partial shade.

Gold Collection® Merlin Lenten Rose delivers a magical experience for you and your guests to enjoy. The outward-facing pink flowers make it so easy to enjoy their charms!

Compact, upright mounds of dark green foliage provide a perfect counterpoint. With a wonderfully uniform shape; they will bring a sophisticated fill long past the blooming time, too!

Palmately compound leaves show off five thick, serrated leaflets. This special cultivar is well-known for its outstanding deep, rich foliage color.

Easy-care Gold Collection® Merlin Lenten Rose is a long-lived perennial that returns for you again and again. It can also be kept in garden containers with well-drained soil and winter protection in the coldest climates.

Gold Collection® Merlin Lenten Rose makes a very solid choice for a plant gift. They are perfect for beginning gardeners, and a fan favorite with plant connoisseurs alike.

Beneficial pollinators certainly love their nectar. This early-blooming plant is a mainstay in Pollinator Gardens...tucked under the shade of taller flowering shrubs.

Place your order for the exquisite Gold Collection® Merlin Lenten Rose from our expert growers today! Early spring has never looked better.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is the Gold Collection® Merlin Lenten Rose suitable for?

Gold Collection® Merlin Lenten Rose thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. This tough perennial handles both cold winters and heat well, though it may need winter protection when grown in containers in the coldest zones. Plant in partial shade for best performance.

When does the Gold Collection® Merlin Lenten Rose typically bloom?

The Gold Collection® Merlin Lenten Rose blooms from late winter through early spring, producing up to 60 color-changing flowers per plant. The blooms start creamy pale pink and deepen to cranberry-pink as they age. Shop at Nature Hills for this reliable early-season performer.

What are good companion plants to grow alongside the Merlin Lenten Rose?

Merlin Lenten Rose pairs beautifully with spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils and crocuses in partial shade areas. Hostas, heuchera, and ferns make excellent foliage companions that complement its dark green leaves. Plant these combinations together for continuous color from late winter through summer.

What are the most common diseases or problems that affect Lenten Roses?

Lenten roses are remarkably disease-resistant, with crown rot from poor drainage being the main concern. Aphids occasionally appear on new growth in spring. Plant in well-draining soil and provide good air circulation to prevent most issues.

Will this Lenten Rose spread naturally or do I need to divide it?

Lenten roses self-seed readily and will naturalize over time through dropped seeds. This Gold Collection® Merlin variety forms compact, upright mounds that gradually expand. You can divide clumps every 3-4 years if desired, but it's not necessary for plant health.

Gold Collection® Merlin Lenten Rose

Helleborus x 'Merlin'