GARDENER'S READING ROOM
Perennials

Hellebores

Tough, undemanding, and long-lived, Hellebores welcome us out of winter with their early blossoms. Their handsome foliage and colors ranging from dramatic to dusky work nicely in woodland settings when combined with primroses, violets, snowdrops and ferns. They prefer some shade and a deep, neutral to alkaline soil rich in humus, not liking to be dry or waterlogged.

There are two groups of Hellebores. The deciduous varieties have basal foliage and flowers. Helleborus niger, known as the Christmas Rose, is the earliest to bloom, though not necessarily timed with the holiday. Its pristine white, cup shaped flowers appear December to March and mature to a blush pink. A commonly grown Hellebore, it is also the most temperamental. Remove the old foliage when the plant begins to bloom to reduce the spread of disease and allow the flowers to stand out. Helleborus atrorubens has dark purple flowers appearing the same time as H. niger.

The evergreen types have leafy stems ending in clusters of flowers the second year. Helleborus orientalis, or Lenten Rose, displays early-spring flowers of pale green, white, pink or maroon, often with speckles. Its dark glossy leaves are made up of 5 – 11 leaflets up to one foot across. H. argutifolius, or Corsican Hellebore, grows one to two feet tall and has light blue-green leaves with conspicuous veins and sharply toothed margins.

Nodding creamy green flowers appear in spring and persist well into the summer. This species is drought tolerant and appreciates a fair amount of light, but not full sun. Too much shade and it will become leggy. H. foetidus, with the glamorous common name of Stinking Hellebore, sports pale green bell shaped flowers March through May that become edged in purple as they age. This 18" gem self seeds freely and is tolerant of most growing situations but resents intense sun.

Hellebores are an easy care jewel to add to your woodland garden. Our Hellebore selection is at its best in early spring, along with wonderful companion plants such as pulmonarias, ferns, double primulas and sweet violets. Stop by now and see.

By Lynn Wright, W.C.N.
Skylights Winter/Spring 2001, Vol 15, No. 1

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