Helleborus × hybridus Harvington red
hellebore Harvington red
A vigorous clump-forming evergreen perennial with glossy dark green lobed leaves. Flowers are clear to deep red and saucer-shaped, nodding on short stems.
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
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Red | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- 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
- Habit
- Clump forming, Bushy
- 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
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in neutral to alkaline soils that are moist, fertile and humus-rich. Partial shade is ideal but can tolerate full sun. Provide shelter from strong, cold winds. Mulch annually in autumn. See hellebore cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by division of large clumps, after flowering in early spring, or in early autumn. Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe; plants produced from seed may be variable.
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
- Ground cover
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Remove faded or damaged foliage as the flowers appear
Pests
May be susceptible to hellebore aphid. Snails may cause damage, particularly on developing flower buds
Diseases
May be susceptible to hellebore leaf spot and virus diseases such as hellebore black death
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.