Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Neutral, AlkalineColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Cream Pink | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter | Cream Pink | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- 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
Thrives in neutral to alkaline soils that are moist, fertile and humus-rich, in dappled shade. 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. As this plant is protected by Plant Breeders' Rights, any propagation should be for personal rather than commercial use.
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, slugs, snails and vine weevil
Diseases
May be susceptible to hellebore leaf spot, and virus diseases including 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.