Hellebores

In winter, when there are few other flowers about, hellebores steal the show, says JENNIFER STACKHOUSE

Hellebores have bagged midwinter as their time to flower. In any other season, these dainty, downward-facing blooms might go unnoticed, but in winter they stand out and demand attention.

As these plants grow to only about 40cm high, admiring hellebore flowers can mean getting down on your hands and knees to look at their pretty, often intricately patterned blooms, or at least bending down to lift up their flowers for a better view. It is worth the effort, though, as the flowers are charming.

Another bonus is that they flourish in shade, particularly under deciduous trees. Add to this their huge variety of flowers and you have a very desirable plant.

species & varieties

Hellebores are perennials, and several species and many varieties are grown in gardens. Outstanding are the myriad forms of Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis), often sold as H. x hybridus. Don’t get confused by the mention of ‘rose’ in the common name. Hellebores are not related to roses – they are part of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). The common name refers to their winter flowering, which brings them into bloom around the beginning of Lent in the Northern Hemisphere, and the rose-like shape of some of their flowers.

Hellebores cross readily, producing offspring with flowers that range from green, pink or white through to deep pink, purple, grey and almost black. There are also some yellow hellebores. As the flowers age and form seeds, their colours change to a greenish hue. From opening to maturity, hellebore flowers last for many weeks, often well into spring.

Hellebore seedlings may have spotted petals, and some petals may have frilled or ‘picotee’ edges. There are some flowers that look like nodding bells, and others with a symmetrical, waterlily-like arrangement of petals. To increase your hellebore collection, look for seedling varieties with interesting colours, spots and petal arrangement. Self-sown garden plants are prolific, but these take several years to reach flowering size.

As well as unnamed seedlings, there are named varieties, many developed in the UK. Breeders have aimed for tall, robust stems that carry colourful flowers that look you in the eye, rather than hang their heads. ‘Ivory Prince’ was one of the first new-look hellebores to reach the Australian market, but now there’s a host of named hellebores available as potted plants in bloom during winter (see ‘Named varieties’ overpage).

planting & care

Hellebores grow wild in woodlands in parts of Europe and Asia. They tolerate cold winters and enjoy mild summers.

In a garden planting, team them with late winter- and spring-flowering bulbs.

To plant, select an area that has good soil, with summer shade and winter sun, such as under or near deciduous trees and shrubs. Too much summer sun and dryness leads to wilting and plant stress, and the areas under trees can be very dry in summer. Stressed plants can die, so keep a good eye on clumps during summer, and water them as necessary.

Scatter a handful of slow-release fertiliser around the plants in autumn and spring (before and after flowering), and generously mulch with compost or leaf mould to keep them thriving. They have no particular pest or disease problems.

To view their flowers more easily, elevate the plants in an urn, grow them along the edge of a raised garden bed, or cut back the leafy clumps in late summer or early autumn before flower buds appear. Remove old leaves to expose the emerging flower stems and make way for new growth.

Hellebores grow well in containers. Ensure potted plants are well watered in summer, and keep the pots cool. Potted hellebores can be brought inside for a few weeks while in flower, which is a plus, but they are not suitable as indoor plants.