Helleborus viridis (green hellebore) — Clump-forming, mounded

Overview

Helleborus viridis is a clump-forming, mounded perennial in the genus Helleborus, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with evergreen or semi-evergreen; leathery, palmately divided, dark green foliage. It typically grows around 0.3 m tall. Helleborus viridis grows best in partial shade; tolerates full sun in reliably moist soil, and tolerates fertile heavy loam or clay with plenty of humus soils and neutral to alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6-H7. It is native to Europe.

About

Helleborus viridis is a clump-forming, mounded perennial with leathery, palmately divided leaves that remain evergreen or semi-evergreen. It grows to around 0.3 m and flowers in winter to early spring, from January to April. It prefers partial shade and will tolerate full sun only where the soil remains reliably moist. All parts are harmful if eaten and can irritate the skin, so wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Helleborus viridis

About the genus

Commonly known as hellebores, the Eurasian genus Helleborus consists of approximately 20 species of herbaceous or evergreen perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae, within which it gave its name to the tribe of Helleboreae. Many hellebore species are poisonous.

Wikipedia contributors, "Hellebore", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hellebore

In the garden

Helleborus viridis is a European perennial that forms low mounds of dark, leathery, palmately divided leaves. Flowering occurs from January to April, providing early-season structure in the garden. It is valued where an evergreen ground layer is needed beneath shrubs or at the front of sheltered mixed borders. Give it partial shade on north, east or west aspects and avoid exposed sites; it prefers a sheltered situation. Plant in fertile heavy loam or clay worked with plenty of humus, on neutral to alkaline soil, and keep conditions moist but well drained. It can tolerate full sun only if the soil remains reliably moist. Helleborus viridis is rated H6–H7, meaning very to fully hardy across UK gardens, but its preference for a sheltered aspect helps protect foliage through winter. All parts are harmful if eaten and can cause skin irritation, so use gloves when handling and keep plants out of reach of children and pets; for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants. Position this species where early-season flowers and persistent, leathery foliage contribute to winter structure rather than where casual grazing or nibbling might occur.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Helleborus

Sunlight: Partial shade; tolerates full sun in reliably moist soil
Soil type: Fertile heavy loam or clay with plenty of humus
Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline
Soil moisture: Moist but well drained
Aspect: North, east or west facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H6-H7

Plant details

Helleborus viridis size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, mounded
Foliage: Evergreen or semi-evergreen; leathery, palmately divided, dark green
Height: 0.3 m
Native to: Europe
Toxicity: Harmful 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

Pruning and caring for Helleborus viridis

Cultivation: Give them a cool, humus-rich root run under deciduous shrubs, where they get spring light and summer shade. They dislike being moved, so plant well and then leave alone. The single most useful job is removing the old leaves of the hybrid hellebores in midwinter: it exposes flowers that would otherwise be hidden, and strips out the foliage that carries leaf spot.
Pruning: Cut away the previous season's leaves of stemless kinds as the flower buds emerge in midwinter. On stemmed species such as H. foetidus and H. argutifolius, remove flowered stems at the base once they fade.
Propagation: Divide established clumps after flowering, though they re-establish slowly. Seed sown fresh germinates readily and self-sown seedlings are plentiful, but hybrids will vary from the parent.
Pest resistance: Slugs and snails damage emerging buds, and aphids gather on flower stems in spring.
Disease resistance: Hellebore leaf spot is common and disfiguring, and removing old foliage in winter is the main control. Hellebore black death, a virus, causes distorted blackened growth and affected plants must be destroyed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Helleborus viridis?

Give them a cool, humus-rich root run under deciduous shrubs, where they get spring light and summer shade. They dislike being moved, so plant well and then leave alone. The single most useful job is removing the old leaves of the hybrid hellebores in midwinter: it exposes flowers that would otherwise be hidden, and strips out the foliage that carries leaf spot.

Where is the best place to plant Helleborus viridis?

Helleborus viridis prefers partial shade; tolerates full sun in reliably moist soil. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Helleborus viridis need?

Helleborus viridis grows best in fertile heavy loam or clay with plenty of humus soil. It prefers neutral to alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well drained.

How do I prune Helleborus viridis?

Cut away the previous season's leaves of stemless kinds as the flower buds emerge in midwinter. On stemmed species such as H. foetidus and H. argutifolius, remove flowered stems at the base once they fade.

How big does Helleborus viridis grow?

Helleborus viridis reaches a height of 0.3 m.

Is Helleborus viridis hardy in the UK?

Helleborus viridis has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.

How do I propagate Helleborus viridis?

Divide established clumps after flowering, though they re-establish slowly. Seed sown fresh germinates readily and self-sown seedlings are plentiful, but hybrids will vary from the parent.

Is Helleborus viridis toxic?

Harmful 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.

More in the Helleborus genus

Browse all Helleborus →