About
A compact, cushion-forming, evergreen shrublet to about 30cm tall from rocky limestone habitats in Spain, with small, paddle-shaped, softly hairy, mid-green leaves and short racemes of small, bright yellow, four-petalled flowers (like a small wallflower) in spring. A choice plant for a sunny, well-drained rock garden or raised bed.
About the genus
Veratrum are herbaceous, rhizomatous perennials with erect stems bearing alternate, pleated ovate or elliptic leaves and dense, branched panicles of small, star-shaped flowers in summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toEurope, Africa, Asia
ToxicityTOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling 18785,veratrum-californicum,Veratrum californicum,California false hellebore,A dwarf
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a sheltered position in rich, deep, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, in partial shade; will grow in full sun if the soil is moist, but the foliage will be healthiest in shade
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, or for quicker results by division in autumn (propagation by seed is unreliable and slow)
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free