About
A herbaceous perennial up to 60cm high, with overwintering leaves of dark green marbled with cream, and forward-facing flowers of pale pink, darker towards the edges,with conspicuous yellow stamens, from winter to spring; hellebore flowers provide nectar and pollen for early-flying bees.
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 pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
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 a position with shelter from cold, drying winds, and in sun or dappled shade, in fertile, moisture-retentive, humus-rich but well-drained soil which is preferably heavy, and neutral or alkaline, and mulched every autumn with leaf mould, chipped bark or other organic matter; for more advice, see hellebore cultivation
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 hellebore aphid, hellebore leaf miner and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to hellebore leaf spot and hellebore black death