Veratrum album
white false hellebore
a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial 1.8-2m high with 10-12 pleated, oblong to elliptic basal leaves, up to 30cm long and 15cm wide, an upright stem with only a few stem leaves, and branched heads up to 60cm long of star-shaped pale green or white flowers, each 1.5-2.5cm across, in early summer and around midsummer
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | White Green | Green | |
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Melanthiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets if eaten (dogs) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- 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
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe, Africa, Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow 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
Propagation
Propagate 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)
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Cut flowers
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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