About
A clump-forming evergreen perennial, to 60cm tall, with leathery, silver-grey foliage overlaid with a network of green veins and clusters of pale apple-green flowers in late winter and early spring.
About the genus
Helleborus can be rhizomatous, herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennials forming a clump of pedate basal leaves, or evergreen with erect, leafy stems. Large, bowl-shaped flowers are borne in loose clusters in late winter or spring
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
ToxicityHarmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationThrives in neutral to alkaline soils and does best in sunny positions in a good, preferably well-drained soil. See hellebore cultivation
PruningRemove faded or damaged foliage as the flowers appear
PropagationPropagate by seed in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to hellebore aphid, hellebore leaf miner and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to hellebore leaf spot and hellebore black death