Helleborus orientalis subsp. abchasicus (A. Braun) B. Mathew Early Purple Group
Lenton rose B. Mathew Early Purple Group
An early flowering, semi-evergreen, clump forming perennial with divided, leathery, dark green foliage and branched stems bearing cup-shaped, delicate soft violet and pink single flowers in winter and early spring
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Neutral, AlkalineColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Pink | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen or Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- 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
- 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
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Prefers a humus-rich, fertile, and moisture-retentive soil in partial shade but will tolerate full sun. Protect from strong, cold winds and mulch with a layer of well-rotted organic matter in autumn. See hellebore cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by division in autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Cut back to the ground brown or dead foliage in late winter when flower buds start to develop
Pests
May be susceptible to hellebore aphid, hellebore leaf miner and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to hellebore leaf spot and hellebore black death
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