Perennials: Helleborus
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1-2ft |
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1-1.5ft |
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Early winter to mid spring |
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Well-drained, moist, soil |
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Full sun to partial shade |
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Crown rot and leaf spot, only occasionaly |
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Cut back after bloom |
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Medium |
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Low |
Helleborus
Common Name: Helleborus
Family: Ranunculaceae
Native Range: Western and central Europe
Bloom Color: White through to red and purples
Hellebores are an extremely useful plant in landscape gardening as they are one of the few plants which are at their best during the wintent months when most gardens are looking dull and lifeless. The picture to the right shows the flower of Helleborus niger which is better known as the Christmas Rose for the simple fact that it is usually in full flower around the time of Christmas (and many consider it as much a symbol of Christmas as holly and ivy).
The flowers of the helleborus are usually held singly but can be in clusters and are bell or cup-shaped. The hellebores flower in a range of colors from pure white to whitish-green to yellow and in various unusual shades of purple. The photograph at the top of this page shows the Helleborus Ivory Prince with white flowers with purple/red veins and yellow anthers.
The flowers of the helleborus usually measure about 5cm (2in) across except for the Helleborus lividus
which has slightly larger flowers and the Helleborus foetidus (stinking hellebore) which has smaller flowers of about 3cm (1.25in). The leaves of the helleborus are usually evergreen and can range from dark to pale green and also to gray-green.
More about Helleborus below, after this video presentation
Cultivation
The helleborus is pretty easy to grow. Plant them in mid fall, in partial shade, in well-drained, moist and organically rich soil (Helleborus foetidus prefers full shade). Helleborus niger should be protected with cloches, to protect from cold winter winds, from early winter onwards. Once planted Hellebores should not be disturbed, however they do benefit from having their flowering stems cut back after blooming as this helps to encourage new foliage growth.
Propagation
If you are lucky, and you keep the conditions just right for optimum growth, helleborus should self seed. Otherwise, sow seeds when ripe, around early to mid summer. They should be planted in boxes or pans of ceed compost in a cold frame. When they are large enough prick off the seedlings into a nursery bed and by the fall of the following year they should be ready to be transferred to their permanent positions.
In two to three years the plants should be ready to flower.
Pest and Diseases
Helleborus is generally problem free with no serious insect or disease problems. However Leaf spot may show as round to oval dark blotches. Infected leaves will wither and die. Crown rot can also be an occassional problem.
Please Note: All parts of the helleborus are poisonous and should not be eaten.
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