Hellebores

Hellebores are one of the first hardy perennial plants to flower in the garden, some starting as early as December although February is normally the best month. Most hellebores do best in rich, well drained soil in a sheltered semi-shaded position although many will tolerate deeper shade or quite bright situations while a few really need a sunny location.

The Lenten Rose or Helleborus x hybridus (orientalis of gardens) is one of the former and associates well with snowdrops and other early spring bulbs, ferns and the variegated arum, Arum italicum ‘Marmoratum’. Colours range from white to very deep purple, some delightfully spotted. Seedlings are common but for a particular colour or form then division or basal cuttings are the ways to increase your stock, although mature hellebores can resent being disturbed. If you like them then double and anemone centred forms are now available, although at a price.

One of the best places to see hellebores is at Ashwood Nurseries, near Stourbridge, they have open days during January and February as well as lectures organised by the Royal Horticultural Society. Many specialist nurseries supply hellebores by mail order which can be useful for some of the more unusual types.

The Christmas Rose, Helleborus niger, very rarely seems to flower for Christmas and can be a little temperamental, liking a very sheltered spot, deep rich limey soil in semi-shade. Even if it has those things it can be short lived and is unlikely to seed around. However a more robust alternative, with very similar flowers, is H. x nigercors which is a cross between H. niger and H. argutifolius.

Helleborus argutifolius (syn. corsicus) is a larger plant with evergreen serrated leaves and very early clusters of pale green flowers. A handsome plant which quite likes some sun and reasonable drainage.

A hellebore that definitely prefers sun is Helleborus x ericsmithii, this plant has marbled leaves and with white flowers fading pink. It can flower as early as December if it is not too cold a winter.

Our native Helleborus foetidus has deeply cut evergreen leaves and self seeds around fairly gently, often putting itself in useful places. The dark green foliage looks good all summer, setting off summer flowers and then in mid winter nodding heads of green bells, edged pink appear. It can be short lived but there should always be a few seedlings around to take over.

CAF