How to breed hellebores

1In February or March select the plants from which you will breed your hellebore. Choose a mother plant - the one to be pollinated, which will eventually bear the seeds - for its vigour and a good, even flower shape. Choose a father plant - which will supply the pollen - for the colour and shape of its flowers.

2The day before you intend to pollinate your plant, cut at least one fully open flower from the father plant, making sure it has 2.5cm (1in) of stem. Bring this flower into the house and float it in a shallow bowl of water overnight. By the next day, the pollen should be fluffy. If you prefer, you can forego this step and take pollen without removing the flower head. However, cutting the flower does give you greater control.

3Select a few flowers on the mother plant that are just about to open and mark them by gently tying a bow of coloured wool around their necks. To keep track of the plants, label them with a number and note down both the number and a brief description of the variety in a notebook. Stick a little of the same coloured wool alongside the description of the plant as a visual reminder.

4It is best to pollinate on a bright, sunny day as pollen is more prolific in warm conditions. On your chosen day, gather pollen from the father plant by brushing it from the anthers. Some people use a soft brush, which is fine if you're only making one cross, but if you are making more a black plastic pen top is better, as you can see clearly if the top is clean of stray pollen grains, whereas they can hide in brush bristles. Simply take the top and rub it on your sleeve to create static. Move the top close to the anthers of the father and pollen will jump on it.

5Gently pull back the petals of the mother flower and transfer the pollen on to its stigma. The stigma should be slightly sticky and receptive to the pollen, but you'll notice the anthers in this flower will not yet be developed. (Some breeders cut off the anthers to guard against self-pollination, but this is not necessary with an unopened flower.) Now gently close the flower. You can repeat this up to three times on the same flower.

6With a bit of luck, seed will be set and starting to ripen at the end of May. The seed pods will fatten and change from pale green to brown, at which point you need to collect the seed before it is shed. Ripe seed should be shiny and black. If possible, sow the seed immediately as it doesn't store well. If you do need to save it, put it in an envelope or paper bag and store it in a cool, dry place.

7Sow the seed on the surface of compost in half-sized seed trays or pots, spacing them at regular intervals. Any seed compost will do, but a loam-based type with extra grit is ideal. The seedlings may be in the tray for some time and loam-based compost contains lots of nutrients and will sustain growth longer. Cover the surface with coarse grit to improve drainage around the emerging seedlings, as well as retain moisture and deter algae.

8Label the tray, recording the names of the plants crossed and the date. Water thoroughly with a fine rose and place in a coldframe or in a sheltered spot outside. Protect from mice. Germination should start from September onwards.

9October-November: once the plants have made true leaves, they can be separated and potted up individually. The following spring, pot them on into one-litre pots or grow on and plant into their final positions. The most exciting part is when you see the flowers of the new progeny you've helped to create, about two years after pollination. These will be totally new hellebores and you are the first to see them.