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
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
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
While it's formally referred to as Helleborus niger, the Christmas rose or lenten rose gets its name for how the rose-like hybrid can flower even in mid-winter.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 7 June 2023
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
This particular one is Helleborus niger ‘Josef Lemper’, a Christmas rose.
—Janet Carson, Arkansas Online, 3 Jan. 2022
For instance: The Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) is poisonous to cats.
—Jennifer Nelson, Southern Living, 8 June 2021
More specific common names include Lenten rose and Christmas rose.
—Tim Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 10 Apr. 2021
In Christian lore, the Christmas rose is also associated with Saint Agnes, who was only 12 or 13 years old when condemned by the Roman emperor Diocletian.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2016
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
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
While it's formally referred to as Helleborus niger, the Christmas rose or lenten rose gets its name for how the rose-like hybrid can flower even in mid-winter.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 7 June 2023
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
This particular one is Helleborus niger ‘Josef Lemper’, a Christmas rose.
—Janet Carson, Arkansas Online, 3 Jan. 2022
For instance: The Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) is poisonous to cats.
—Jennifer Nelson, Southern Living, 8 June 2021
More specific common names include Lenten rose and Christmas rose.
—Tim Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 10 Apr. 2021
In Christian lore, the Christmas rose is also associated with Saint Agnes, who was only 12 or 13 years old when condemned by the Roman emperor Diocletian.
—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 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share