Once used by the ancient Greeks for poisoning the wells of their enemies, this small group of fully to half-hardy perennials are invaluable for bringing the garden alive during the dark winter months, providing both architectural boldness and unusual floral displays.

Habit

Modest-sized (to 24" - 60 cm) clump-forming perennials with leathery evergreen foliage. Thick-petalled bowl-shaped flowers appear during winter and early spring in shades of pale green, white, raspberry and maroon through to the darkest purples. Plant in clusters of 3 to 5 plants to make a bold, arresting statement.

Cultural Requirements

These are plants of the woodland margin requiring both moderate moisture and shade.

Preferred Soil Conditions

Hellebores are generally unfussy regarding soil type but perform best in a well-drained humus-rich soil avoiding direct sunlight and excessive competition for moisture from tree roots. An annual mulch of organic compost will yield dividends, and a deeply dug addition of grit may help improve drainage in locations prone to waterlogging.

Propagation

Most will self-seed freely though H. orientalis-types will rarely come true and are slow to germinate. Division in autumn or very early spring will tend to lead to a prolonged sulk as these plants resent root disturbance.

Selected Species and Varieties

(Click on external links for photographs)

H. argutifolius : A handsome plant with large, divided, spiny, dark green leaves. Vigorous though, originating from the Mediterranean area (it was once named H. Corsicus), it is not fully hardy. Carries large clusters of pale green flowers from late winter.

H. foetidus (Stinking hellebore) : Striking, deeply-divided palm-like leaves hang like dark-green veils below pannicles of red-lipped, pale-green, flowers borne from late winter. It is native to many parts of Eurasia, including Britain.

H. niger (Christmas rose) : White, nodding, cup-shaped flowers appear above divided, dark-green leaves in winter. This species is native to central/eastern Europe.

H. orientalis (Lenten rose) : An Eastern Mediterranean species almost invariably offered in hybrid variety. Similar in habit to H. niger but flowering somewhat later in yellow-green, white, pink, or maroon.

Garden Virtues

Hellebores provide year-round structure, interest and invaluable activity during the winter months.

Versatility

• Brighten and beautify an untidy, dank, dark corner with H. argutifolius.
• Allow sun-lit drifts of spring bulbs to merge into contrasting shaded stands of H. orientalis to extend and unify the display.

Pleasing Associations

Plant amongst other well-structured but contrasting woodlanders to produce strong combinations.

• Hosta sieboldii.
• Pieris 'Forest Flame'.
• Meconopsis betonicifolia.
• Ferns.
• Dwarf Rhododendrons.
• Honeysuckles.

Botanical Details

The genus does not include the pokeweeds: American, false or white hellebore (Veratrum spp.); and the winter hellebore, Eranthis hyemalis.

Family

Ranunculaceae - the Buttercup family includes many of Britain's most well-known woodland and meadow flowers. Cultivated varieties are naturally suited to British conditions, associate well, and should be strongly represented in the woodland and cottage garden.

Related Genera

• Aconitum - Monkshood, Wolf's bane.
• Actaea - Baneberry.
• Anemone - Windflower.
• Aquilegia - Columbine.
• Clematis - Old Man's Beard, Traveller's Joy.
• Consolida - Larkspur.
• Delphinium.
• Hepatica.
• Nigella - Love-in-a-mist.
• Pulsatilla - Pasque flower.
• Ranunculus - Buttercup, Celandine.
• Thalictrum - Meadow Rue.
• Trollius - Globeflower.