How To Grow Hellebores

TAG: Gardening Advice

After much research, I discovered that hellebores were a good solution to the two problems I was trying to solve: providing early emerging bees with food and growing a plant in a dry shady area.

Hellebores are an excellent choice for early-emerging bees, providing them with a reliable source of nectar and pollen.  Their flowers are also a beautiful addition to any garden.  Helleborus orientalis is a shade-tolerant plant that can tolerate dry conditions, making it a good choice for a shady, dry area in your garden.

Hellebore Planting Information:

Plant: April, May, June and July
Flowers: January, February, March and April
Cut Back: February and March
Interesting fact: Hellebores belong to the buttercup family

Here are some additional facts about hellebores:

  • Hellebores are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa.
  • There are over 100 species of hellebores.
  • Hellebores are evergreen plants.
  • Hellebores have thick, leathery leaves.
  • Hellebores produce beautiful, colourful flowers.
  • Hellebores are a popular choice for gardens and landscapes.

Hellebores are a great plant for early emerging bees.  They are easy to grow and are undemanding, so they are perfect if you want to create a wildlife friendly garden.

hellebore

When to plant hellebores

Hellebores can be planted at any time of the year, as long as the soil isn't frozen.  Most hellebores are for sale when they are in flower, from late winter to early spring, but check out the bargain section of a garden centre in summer and they may have some for sale at a huge discount, and you'll still be able to plant them out without any problems.  But once planted, do not move them, they don't like it.

How to plant hellebores

It is always best to add the right plant to the right situation.  Then you don't have to alter your soil which is better for the environment.  I'm very much into doing nothing and just adding a plant directly into my soil.

But to give it a good start you can add some compost to the planting hole to help it settle in.  Firm in gently and water well.

How to care for hellebores

Hellebores are relatively low-maintenance plants, but there are a few things you can do to keep them healthy and blooming:

  • Cut back the large leathery leaves when flowers and new foliage emerge.
  • Mulch plants annually with well-rotted garden compost or manure.
  • Avoid transplanting hellebores after they have established.

white hellebore

How to propagate hellebores

If you want to propagate hellebores, it is best done by collecting seeds or letting the plant self seed.

Sowing seeds:

  • Sow the seeds in July or August.
  • Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
  • Keep the soil moist.
  • The seeds should germinate in about 2-3 weeks.

Dividing the plant:

  • Hellebores do not like to be moved, because of this you should not dig them up and divide them.

Self-seeding:

  • Hellebores will self-seed if they are allowed to.
  • The seedlings will not look like the parent plant, but they can be an interesting addition to your garden.

Problem Solving

Hellebores are susceptible to leaf spot, a fungal infection that can cause brown and black patches on leaves.  If you see any affected foliage, remove it immediately to prevent the spread of the infection.

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