About
A deciduous herbaceous perennial, up to 50cm high, with leathery, strap-like leaves which become highly divided as they mature. Nodding, cup-shaped green flowers appear from late winter into spring with a scent that is sometimes said to be reminiscent of Ribes sanguineum. The young foliage emerges bronze, turning to green.
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
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy, Clump forming
FoliageEvergreen, Semi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden
Native toBosnia & Herzegovina
FragranceFlower
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 that are moist, fertile and humus-rich. Partial shade is ideal but can tolerate full sun. Provide shelter from strong, cold winds. Mulch annually in autumn. See hellebore cultivation for more details
PruningRemove old leaves to help prevent hellebore leaf spot, and deadhead to encourage more flowers
PropagationPropagate by division of large clumps in early spring, watering well until they are established
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails, hellebore aphid, hellebore leaf miner, chafer grubs, vine weevil and mice
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to hellebore black death, hellebore leaf spot, downy mildews, grey moulds (botrytis), smuts, and virus diseases