About
Helleborus lividus, the blue-grey hellebore, is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial to 45 cm with pink-tinted stems bearing leathery, blue-green, marbled leaves composed of three leaflets. Nodding, pale pinkish-green flowers 3�5 cm wide are borne in open clusters from midwinter. A beautiful and refined hellebore for a sheltered, partly shaded position.
About the genus
Helleborus, the hellebores, are rhizomatous, herbaceous or evergreen perennials with bold, pedate or palmate, deeply divided, leathery leaves and nodding, bowl-shaped flowers in late winter and spring. Long-lived and ornamental plants for shaded or partly shaded positions.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Rock garden
Native toBalearics
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
CultivationPrefers a humus-rich, fertile, and moisture-retentive soil in partial shade but will tolerate full sun. Protect from strong, cold winds and mulch with a layer of well-rotted organic matter in autumn. See hellebore cultivation for further information
PruningRemove faded or damaged foliage as the flowers appear
PropagationPropagate by seed sown 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