While most perennials lose their foliage in the fall and go dormant in the winter, there are those, like hellebores that are evergreen. With flowers that blossom in late winter and early spring, cold-season bloomers like these are rare in the flower world. At times the leaves are flattened and flowers droop due to winter frost and snowfall, but before long, they recover when the warmth of the winter sun reappears.
Folklore dating back to Greek antiquity, and found throughout history, tell of the magical and medicinal qualities of hellebores. Its black roots were known for centuries as a cure for mania and melancholy. Hellebores are said to have the ability to ward off evil spirits, and it’s considered a sensible precaution to plant it as close as possible to the entrance of the home. Ironically, in witchcraft it is believed to be used for summoning demons.
Hellebores were brought to North America for ornamental use in our gardens around 1850. They are valued for their early and long-lasting flowering period, as well as for their beauty, vigor and deer resistance. Until about 30 years ago, these perennials were uncommon in home gardens.
Commonly known as hellebores, the genus Helleborus consists of approximately 20 species of evergreen perennial flowering plants. Most of the hellebores readily available today are hybrid crosses of nine species, collectively referred to as Helleborus x hybridus. Mature plants form clumps that are 18” to 24” tall and 24” to 30” wide.
Native to much of Europe, hellebores (Helleborus) belong to the Ranunculaceae or buttercup family. Like most members of the buttercup family, hellebores are avoided by deer because their leaves, stems, and roots are poisonous.
Leaves - Even when hellebores aren't in flower, their foliage is attractive too. The leaves are palmate with serrated edges and come in different shapes depending on the variety. The leafy stems grow from the base of the plant and are topped with five to nine leaflets. New leaves are smooth initially and turn leathery as they age. Hellebore foliage is glossy and durable and is typically dark green, although there are continually new hybrids with variations of leaf color such as gray-green, blue-green, pewter, and there are others with colorful veins of red, white, silver or mottling. Although the foliage is evergreen, the leaves decline as winter progresses.
Flowers - Hellebores have saucer-shaped flowers, two to three inches in diameter appearing on thick stems that rise above the foliage. There are hybrids in a wide variety of colors which can be pink, yellow, white, cream, green, maroon, or purple. They come in single, semi, and fully double forms, with ruffled or smooth petals. Some varieties have colorful veins or margins, others are spotted or speckled. The blooms on most of the older varieties are downward-facing, but the newer hybrids have more upward-facing flowers.
Growing conditions - Hellebores grow best in well-drained soil, rich in organic matter, but tolerate most growing conditions, with the exceptions of very dry or wet soil. Most prefer partial shade, but some varieties will tolerate sun. While they are mostly thought of as “shade plants,” they are in fact shade-tolerant plants.
Clumps of hellebores blooming in February or March are a joyful experience to behold. Locate plants to enhance views out of windows or near walkways so that the early blooms may be savored. Group plants in semi-shady locations under trees or large shrubs, woodland gardens or border fronts. When flower stems are left in place, many hellebore hybrids will spread by self-seeding and form an attractive ground cover.
How to care for hellebores - Hellebores require little maintenance, except for cutting back winter-damaged leaves in late winter or early spring. Allow the healthy evergreen foliage to remain on the plant throughout winter. New leaves appear in the spring. Dead or diseased leaves can be pruned at any time of year. Cut leaves back to the base of the plant. Use hand pruners, and wear gloves when handling this plant as the sap of the hellebore can irritate the skin. There is no need to rush in removing the faded flower stems. The flower heads will last through most of the summer and continue to offer ornamental interest in the garden. The showy flower parts are not petals, they are sepals; the sepals remain attached to the plant until late in the season. Cut back flowers by removing the entire stem at the base.
Companion plants for hellebores - Plants that require the same growing conditions: a wide range of partial sun to shade tolerant perennials, ferns, sedges, grasses, and shrubs. Also include bulbs that bloom at the same time as hellebores.
There are many hellebore species, cultivars, and hybrids to choose from. With a well-planned selection, you can have hellebore flowers in your garden from January to June. No garden should be without hellebores.