Helleborus
Helleborus is a great addition to the garden, these days though it has become a little more complicated as there are many different varieties. Most now come under the name Helleborus Hybridus, most hybrids are referred to as this as they are generally suited to most conditions in the garden. In the past you would need to buy a different Hellebore for partial shade, full shade and for full sun etc. Now Hellebore have been bred so most will be suitable for all environments. The most common cultivars are Helleborus Orientalis, Helleborus Niger and Helleborus Foetidus, the later more known for the smell of the leaves when crushed. There is another hellebore that is popular and that's called the Corsican Hellebore which, can grow quite tall, in some cases up to a meter tall and has pale green flowers.
To propagate Hellebore can be done from collecting the seeds and plant immediately in good quality compost covered with 50% grit and 50% vermiculite or place compost around the base of the plant and wait for the seedlings to start growing, once big enough they can be lifted and potted on. Hellebore are quite simple to propagate on.
Pruning and care is the same for most varieties, once the flowers have finished, cut the stems back to the base and remove, the leaves will still be left and be the focal point of interest for the rest of the season. At the end of the season some will leave the leaves on and remove once they begin to die back, however this will look unsightly. I remove all the foliage before the winter begins so in the spring when the flowers show, the flowers will be the focal point of the plant. The leaves will grow after the flowers and be fully showing when the flowers have finished.
To propagate Hellebore can be done from collecting the seeds and plant immediately in good quality compost covered with 50% grit and 50% vermiculite or place compost around the base of the plant and wait for the seedlings to start growing, once big enough they can be lifted and potted on. Hellebore are quite simple to propagate on.
Pruning and care is the same for most varieties, once the flowers have finished, cut the stems back to the base and remove, the leaves will still be left and be the focal point of interest for the rest of the season. At the end of the season some will leave the leaves on and remove once they begin to die back, however this will look unsightly. I remove all the foliage before the winter begins so in the spring when the flowers show, the flowers will be the focal point of the plant. The leaves will grow after the flowers and be fully showing when the flowers have finished.
