Plant Type

Broadleaf Evergreen, Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Blue, Green, Lavender, Pink, Yellow, White

 

Flower Season

Winter, Spring

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Half, Shade

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Japanese, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio

 

Special Uses

Filler, Mass Planting, Naturalizing, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

The Hellebore hybrids are evergreen perennials, providing much needed texture and color to the late winter/early spring garden. Leaves are large and deeply lobed, nearly palmate, and are deep green though frequently maroon underneath. Flowers appear in late winter to early spring, and are cup-shaped to more open, nodding, and come in a softened version of nearly every color; some even have lovely veining of spots. Generally under 18 inches, though some get to be 24 inches tall; about 18 inches wide though in time they will gently colonize. A lovely plant for dry, shady borders, or as an understory plant. Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year for 2005.

Grow in well drained, loamy to coarse soil in part shade to part sun; hellebore is not very heat tolerant so be certain that it receives shade during the hottest part of the day in the summer months. Plant where it will receive some protection from drying winter winds. Though evergreen, some leaves may look tatty after our long winters, and so snip them off near the base of the plant for a tidy appearance and to better see the emerging flowers. Though they appreciate regular watering, when in a part sun setting with well amended soil they can be remarkably drought tolerant. Visit hellebores.org for more information. Hardy to USDA Zone 6.