Heavenly Hellebores
Above: A heavenly hellebore
By Diana Guy
Just when it seems that winter will never end, and we are still experiencing biting winds and gloomy days, the hellebores peak, proving that it quite feasible to have borders bursting with colour and interest way ahead of the traditional spring display.
Centuries ago, hellebores were grown for a wide range of medicinal purposes; all parts are poisonous and care must be taken when handling the plants. Helleborus niger was the one widely cultivated in physic gardens. 'Niger' means black and refers to the root, not the flower, which is snowy white. Though known as the ‘Christmas Rose’, it is rarely out by Christmas and, in fact, is one of the most difficult to grow. People often give up on hellebores having failed with this one. There are so many others from which to choose, and to ensure a good long-lasting display it is worth getting to know this wonderful family of plants.
Delicate natives
We have two native forms, H.viridus, a fairly innocuous green-flowered plant rarely offered for sale, and the commonly grown H.foetidus, also green and with leaves that live up to the name ‘foetidus’ which means ‘stinking’. This hellebore has divided leaves and grows to about 45cms. It is tolerant of a wide range of conditions and will often seed about. Lovely-named forms are available but you need to contact a specialist nursery to track them down.
H.augustifolius is a tall (90cms), coarse, pale-green plant that was formally called H.corsicus and that gives a clue to the plant’s native home. They will tolerate light shade but revel in sunny well-drained borders where the bold architectural shape will provide structure and interest.
Other garden-worthy species that have mainly originated from the Balkan states are also worth seeking out. The delightful slate-coloured H.torquatus and greeny-yellow H.cyclophylus and H.odorus have all played an important part in the hybridisation and consequent development of the range of forms and colours available in the hellebores we grow today. Sadly, these unusual species are not easy to source. The easiest way to find these rare plants is to use the RHS Plant Finder, an amazing book that is updated and republished regularly.
More recently, micro propagation has made it possible to purchase the really lovely forms that are a result of crossbreeding. An example is the three-way cross known as H.ericsmithii (after a famous hellebore breeder). This is often sold under various cultivar names, so people buying this plant often haven’t a clue about its breeding history. Look out for this chunky hellebore (around 35cms), often with marbled leaves and bearing huge clusters of creamy flowers fading to pink.
The easiest of all, however, are the H.hybridus, still sometimes sold under their old name of H.orientalis, the Lenten Rose. They are now available in a wide range of colours and forms including double and semi-double and are very long-lived plants, but which should not be disturbed. They enjoy a sunny spot if the soil is rich, moist but well-drained, and will also tolerate quite deep shade. The secret is to remove all the old leaves by Christmas and then mulch heavily with mushroom compost.
My fascination with hellebores began 20 years ago when we moved to Welcome Thatch. I have a collection of around 200 now, so be warned, they are addictive!
Want to Know More?
For several years we have held Hellebores Days at Welcome Thatch which have raised thousands of pounds for charity, and this year will see the last ever, as we have now sold our beloved house and garden and will be starting a new garden, not too far away. Hellebore Weekend at Welcome Thatch, Witchampton, near Wimborne, will be held on 23rd February from 11am until 4pm, in aid of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens (NCCPG), and 24th February from1pm until 4pm, in aid of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS). Admission is £3. There will be lots of hellebores for sale, including the exquisite Homelea hybrids bred by the local nursery, R D Plants, who will be in attendance.
In addition, Hellebore Workshops will be held on 13th and 20th February from 2pm to 5pm. The cost is £10 per person to include a private tour of the garden, and tea with home-made cakes followed by a slide talk on ‘The World of Hellebores’. To book a place, contact me on Tel: 01258 840894, or email diana.welcomethatch@btopenworld.com