Hellebores are easy to grow and are undemanding. They look good from January to May – even when their seed has set, their sepals are persistently handsome, eventually becoming green. Their foliage is bold and evergreen, and in some of the new hybrids the marbled leaves are just as celebrated as the flowers.
Hellebore flowers vary in colour, including shades of pink, purple, green and white. They can be striped or spotted, picotee or plain, double or anemone-centred, or simply single.
There are fewer pollinators around when hellebores are in flower, but the blooms bear rich nectar and lots of pollen, making them an instant hit for hungry bumblebees. Most hellebores have downward-facing flowers. Not only does this protect the pollen from winter rains but it also offers shelter to the attendant insect while it feeds. One of the most alluring aspects of growing hellebores is the way in which you have to participate with them, gently turning up their faces to appreciate the uniqueness of each individual.
Hellebores also make great cut flowers – simply snip off flower heads and float in a shallow bowl of water.
How to grow hellebores
Grow hellebores in fertile, well-drained soil at the front of a border, beneath shrubs or in large pots, in sun to partial shade. Cut back the large leathery leaves when flowers and new foliage emerge and mulch plants annually with well-rotted compost or manure. Avoid transplanting hellebores after they have established.
Where to plant hellebores
[image id=”56201″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Corsican hellebore (Helleborus lividus subsp. corsicus). Jason Ingram” alt=”Corsican hellebore (Helleborus lividus subsp. corsicus). Jason Ingram” classes=””] Corsican hellebore (Helleborus lividus subsp. corsicus). Jason Ingram
Hellebores are typically woodland edge plants. They thrive in rich, moisture-retentive soil but struggle in boggy and wet conditions. Most will tolerate full sun to almost full shade. They lend themselves to naturalistic schemes and informal plantings, and are perfect partners for early-flowering spring bulbs, pulmonarias and evergreen ferns.
Grow hellebores at the front of a border in sun, or full or partial shade, depending on the variety you choose. They do best in fertile, well-drained soil, but can also be raised in pots in a loam-based compost (plant them into the border after the display is over).
When to plant hellebores
[image id=”56202″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Planting hellebore ‘Silver Dollar’ in a pot. Jason Ingram” alt=”Planting hellebore ‘Silver Dollar’ in a pot. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Planting hellebore ‘Silver Dollar’ in a pot. Jason Ingram
Hellebores can be planted at any time of year, as long as the soil isn’t frozen. Most hellebores are listed for sale when they’re in flower – from late winter to early spring, but you may find one in the bargain section of a garden centre in summer, which you can plant without any problems. Remember that, once planted, hellebores hate being moved, so avoid moving them once you’ve planted them.
How to plant hellebores
Plant hellebores like other perennials, with a sprinkling of mycorrhizal fungi and a spadeful of garden compost to help the plant settle in. Firm in gently and water well.
Watch Monty Don‘s video guide to planting and growing hellebores, including soil preparation and planting depth, and how to tackle leaf spot disease. Monty also looks at how to choose the best flowers for instant impact, and shows off the diversity of his hellebore collection:
How to care for hellebores
[image id=”56197″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Hellebore with all foliage cut back. Sarah Cuttle” alt=”Hellebore with all foliage cut back. Sarah Cuttle” classes=””] Hellebore with all foliage cut back. Sarah Cuttle
Watering: hellebores are fairly drought tolerant once established. Water them every week after planting until you see signs of growth, and then only when conditions become very dry. bear in mind that hellebores struggle in waterlogged soils, so don’t water in winter or over-water if you have heavy soil.
Feeding and mulching: mulch annually with well-rotted compost or manure.
Winter care: cut back the large leathery leaves when flowers and new foliage emerge.
How to propagate hellebores
Because hellebores struggle when moved, it’s best not to divide them, and they don’t grow from cuttings. Instead, collect ripe seed and sow into modules to grow new plants for free. Alternatively, let your hellebores self seed around your garden. No hellebore seedling will be true to its parents – by letting them self-seed randomly you’ll create a hodge-podge of different colours and flower shapes. You may even grow your own new hybrid.
Pests and diseases
[image id=”45600″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Hellebore leaf spot. Tim Sandall” alt=”Hellebore leaf spot. Tim Sandall” classes=””] Hellebore leaf spot. Tim Sandall
The main enemy of hellebores is leaf spot, a fungal infection that leaves unsightly brown and black patches on the leaves. Remove affected foliage when you spot it.
Here, Monty Don demonstrates how to identify hellebore leaf spot and explains how to stop it spreading between plants:
Advice on buying hellebores
- Hellebores are available from garden centres but you’ll find a wider range in specialist nurseries and online
- Remember that single-flowered plants are best for pollinators, so avoid double-flowered hellebores if you are planting for bees
- Always check plants for signs of damage or disease before planting
Where to buy hellebores
Best hellebores to grow
Green hellebore, Helleborus viridis
[image id=”58424″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”2048×1365-Carol-Klein’s-favourite-hellebores-GettyImages-184288733″ alt=”Helleborus viridis, Getty Images” classes=””] Helleborus viridis, Getty Images
Helleborus viridis is a dainty hellebore with green, chalice-like flowers surrounded by dark foliage. Grow in an open site in well-drained, alkaline soil.
Flowers: Jan-Apr
Height x spread: 30cm x 30cm
Christmas rose, Helleborus niger
[image id=”93606″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Helleborus niger. Jason Ingram” alt=”Helleborus niger. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Helleborus niger. Jason Ingram
Though a well-loved garden plant, even skilled gardeners have trouble persuading it to settle. It does best in light soils.
Flowers: Jan-Feb
H x S: 30cm x 45cm
Helleborus ‘Penny’s Pink’
[image id=”58425″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Supplied by Ashwood Nurseries – PLEASE CREDITHelleborus (Rodney Davey Marbled Group) ‘Pennys Pink'” alt=”Helleborus ‘Pennys Pink’, Ashwood Nurseries” classes=””] Helleborus ‘Pennys Pink’, Ashwood Nurseries
This wonderful hybrid hellebore uses Helleborus x ericsmithii as one of the parents. Bold plants with striking marbled foliage.
Flowers: Feb-Apr
H x S: 30cm x 30cm
Corsican hellebore, Helleborus argutifolius
[image id=”58427″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Supplied by Ashwood Nurseries – PLEASE CREDITHelleborus argutifolius” alt=”Helleborus argutifolius, Ashwood Nurseries” classes=””] Helleborus argutifolius, Ashwood Nurseries
Also known as the Corsican hellebore, this big, bold plant bears several flower stems, each bearing an imposing cluster of large apple-green flowers.
Flowers: Jan-April
H x S: 50cm x 90cm
Stinking hellebore, Helleborus foetidus
[image id=”58426″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Supplied by Ashwood Nurseries – PLEASE CREDITHelleborus foetidus Wester Flisk” alt=”Helleborus foetidus – Wester Flisk Group, Ashwood Nurseries” classes=””] Helleborus foetidus – Wester Flisk Group, Ashwood Nurseries
Wester Flisk Group is a selection from our native ‘stinking hellebore’. It has reddish stems, glaucous foliage and pale globose flowers, sometimes with a red rim.
Flowers: Feb-May
H x S: 50cm x 60cm
Helleborus Ashwood Garden hybrids
[image id=”58429″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Helleborus Ashwood Garden Hybrids. Jason Ingram / Hilliers” alt=”Helleborus Ashwood Garden Hybrids. Jason Ingram / Hilliers” classes=””] Helleborus Ashwood Garden Hybrids
Robust yet elegant, Ashwood garden hybrids come in a host of colours and forms, with pure flower colours retained over a long period.
Flowers: Jan-Apr
H x S: 30cm x 30cm
Lenten rose, Helleborus x hybridus
[image id=”28415″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Helleborus x hybridus” alt=”Helleborus x hybridus” classes=””] Lenten rose, Helleborus x hybridus
Helleborus x hybridus bears clusters of saucer-shaped flowers coloured white, pink, green, mauve or smoky purple. Blooms may be plain or patterned. Plants will self-seed readily.
Flowers: Mar-May
H x S: 45cm x 30cm
Helleborus x ericsmithii
[image id=”28419″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”<em>Helleborus </em>x<em> ericsmithii</em>. Jason Ingram” alt=”Helleborus x ericsmithii. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Helleborus x ericsmithii. Jason Ingram
Helleborus x ericsmithii is an unusual three-way hybrid hellebore. The evergreen foliage is a rich, deep green, and the flowers are a pale greenish-pink, darkening as they mature.
Flowers: Mar-Apr
H x S: 45cm x 40cm
Frequently asked questions
Is hellebore poisonous to touch?
Hellebores are toxic to dogs, cats and humans if eaten, and may cause a minor irritation if your skin comes into contact with the sap. Wear gloves when handling if you’re susceptible to skin issues.
What do you do with hellebores after flowering?
After flowering you can cut the flowerheads back or leave them to self seed. Spent hellebore flowers look attractive so leaving them to seed can extend their season of interest. If you’ve grown hellebores in a pot, transplant them to a permanent spot in the garden after flowering.
