How to Plant and Grow Hellebores

Plant Types

• The evergreen base of the plant is similar across all types and varieties, but the flower form and shading can look very different.
• They grow to about 20-30cm high, and their flowers sit above the foliage, mainly on single stems through winter.
• They also love neglect, so are great for low maintenance gardens.

There are two types of Hellebores:

Old Fashioned Varieties

Sternii - This old fashioned hybrid can give a lot of variation in height, leave colour and stem colour with distinctive lime green flowers and maroon backs. A good hardy plant and ideal for a hot dry site.

Niger - Commonly referred to as the Christmas Rose, an evergreen plant that grows to 40-50 cms in height and will grow into a large clump of 50 cms in diameter. This plant needs good drainage. It can stand the dry but loathes continual wet feet.

Foetidus - ‘stinking hellebore’ because its foliage produces a pungent smell when crushed. This species of hellebores ranks high when it comes to selecting winter plants for gardens as an evergreen perennial with lime coloured blossoms which bloom heavily for weeks until mid-spring.

Modern Hybrids

Annas Red - hybrid with deep magenta red flowers. Flowers appear over an extended period from winter to mid spring.

Pennys Pink - hybrid with dozens of pink flowers with yellow stamens produced for an extended period through Winter and into early Spring.

Mollys White - hybrid producing cup-shaped white flowers mixed with lime green which are produced for an extended period through Winter and into early Spring.

Timing

Plant Hellebores in autumn or winter and enjoy flowers from June through September.

• Back fill and water in.
• Make sure you keep them nice and damp while they settle in.

Growing in Pots

• Hellebores can also be grown successfully in pots. The container can be reasonably shallow (e.g. a trough).
• Use a good quality potting mix, and feed the plant twice a year with a slow release fertiliser.

Watering

• Water regularly as they get established, then only occasionally once settled.

Feeding

• Keep the soil topped up with rich compost, and give them a dose of slow release fertiliser in Autumn.
• Sprinkle of dolomite lime just before flowering season, and some mulch just after.

Maintenance

• Hellebores don’t need much maintenance, just an occasional prune to tidy up areas that have become overgrown or lopsided. Autumn or winter is a good time to do this.
• They will spread quickly, so pull out any that you don’t want. Their root systems are quick to establish so the sooner you deal to them the better.

Pests & Disease

• Hellebores can suffer from fungal diseases. To prevent this, apply dolomite garden lime in early summer or if establish spray with a fungicide.
• Aphids may appear on new growth, check under the flowers and leaves as they appear and squash with your fingers or use a systemic insecticide.
• Hellebores are not usually affected by snails, but they do provide shelter for them. Use snail pellets if this is an issue.

Location

• Hellebores are useful for bringing colour to shady spots in the garden and work well planted in drifts or massed in the shade of deciduous trees.
• They prefer shade or dappled sun and are great as a ground cover.

Soil

• Pick your planting area - Hellebores will grow in any reasonable garden soil, but prefer slightly moist alkaline soil, yet not damp and cloggy.
• In most areas, adding some dolomite garden lime will adjust the pH to a more suitable level. They will also love a side dressing of lime just before flowering.

Planting

• The first thing to get right is the condition of your soil. Spread some nutrient rich material, like organic compost, through the planting area to prep it.
• They also prefer alkaline soil, so add some dolomite lime to get the pH higher.
• Dig holes about 40cm across and 20cm deep.
• Leave 30-50cm between plants, depending on the variety.
• Nestle the plant deep down so there’s at least a 2-3cm clearance between where the root breaks from the crown of the plant.