- Botanical name: Helleborus orientalis
- Common name: Hellebore
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Evergreen
Pink
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
A winter-flowering staple in the cottage garden, hellebores produce large clusters of saucer-shaped flowers with white, pink, green, mauve or smoky purple flowers. The large leathery, evergreen leaves persist throughout the year but should be cut back in the spring when flowers and new foliage emerge. Plants hybridise and self-seed freely.
Helleborus orientalis bears nodding or outward-facing, saucer-shaped, flowers, in white, pink, green, primrose, mauve or smoky purple, from February onwards. It’s perfect for growing in large clumps, particularly beneath trees in shady borders.
For best results, grow Helleborus orientalis in moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Propagate by fresh seed, or divide plants in autumn or early spring. All parts of the plant may cause serious discomfort if ingested and the sap may irritate the skin.
How to grow Helleborus orientalis
-
Plant size
45cm height
45cm spread
-
Aspect
North facing, south facing, east facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do not Sow in March |
A
Do not Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do Sow in September |
O
Do Sow in October |
N
Do Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does flower in March |
A
Plant does flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Helleborus orientalis and wildlife
Helleborus orientalis is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Helleborus orientalis poisonous?
Helleborus orientalis can be toxic.
Toxic to Cats
Toxic to Dogs
Toxic to Horses
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Helleborus orientalis
