About
A clump-forming perennial to about 45cm with tough, leathery leaves deeply divided into seven or nine leaflets. From mid-winter to mid-spring produces large, nodding, cup-shaped, white flowers, often with cream or green shading and a large boss of pale yellow stamens.
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 shade, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 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
CultivationWill tolerate a wide range of conditions, but does best in fertile, moisture-retentive, humus-rich but well-drained soil which is preferably heavy, and neutral or alkaline, in a position with shelter from strong, cold winds and in dappled shade; for more advice, see hellebore cultivation
PruningSpring to show off flowers and help prevent hellebore leaf spot; deadhead by removing old, faded flower stems
PropagationPropagate by division of large clumps in early spring, watering well until they are established
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to hellebore aphid, hellebore leaf miner and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to hellebore leaf spot and hellebore black death