Helleborus × hybridus 'Black Swan'![RHS Plants for pollinators](/assets/styles/images/icons/RHS_Bee_YELLOW-REGISTERED.png)
![RHS Plants for pollinators](/assets/styles/images/icons/RHS_Bee_YELLOW-REGISTERED.png)
hellebore 'Black Swan'
A clump-forming perennial to about 60cm with leathery, deeply lobed, dark green leaves that usually persist through winter. From late winter to mid-spring, sturdy upright stems bear outward-facing, double, purple-black flowers with white stamens
![](https://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselectorimages/detail/WSYD0005488.jpg)
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Black Purple | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter | Black Purple | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
Will tolerate a wide range of conditions, but does best in fertile, moisture-retentive, humus-rich but well-drained soil which is preferably heavy, and neutral or alkaline, in a position with shelter from strong, cold winds and in dappled shade, mulched every autumn with leaf mould, chipped bark or other organic matter; for more advice, see hellebore cultivation
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
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Remove old leaves to help prevent hellebore leaf spot, and deadhead by removing old faded flower stems
Pests
May be susceptible to hellebore aphid, hellebore leaf miner and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to hellebore leaf spot and 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.