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Herbaceous Perennial

Helleborus × hybridus 'Little Black'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A bushy, clump-forming, evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial with leathery, very dark green glossy foliage and single, velvety dark purple to black flowers, flowering from December through to March

Synonyms
Helleborus orientalis hort. 'Little Black'
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Black Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Purple Black Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen or Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy, 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

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 for more details

Propagation

Propagate by division of large clumps in early spring, watering well until they are established

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Remove old leaves to help prevent hellebore leaf spot, and deadhead to encourage more flowers

Pests

May be susceptible to hellebore aphid, hellebore leaf miner and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to hellebore black death, hellebore leaf spot, downy mildews, grey moulds (botrytis), smuts, and virus diseases

Get involved

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