Hellebores are never a bore

Hellebores are often known as winter roses. And fairly proper, too, given how they mild up a border when not a lot else is in flower. However a phrase of warning: theirs is a toxic magnificence. 

The title comes from the Greek phrases elein, that means to injure, and bora, that means meals, suggesting that if consumed in massive portions hellebores are poisonous. 

In Greek fantasy, hellebores had been used as each a poison and a remedy. A tincture produced from hellebore roots was added to the water provide when Kirrha was besieged within the sixth century BC, leaving its residents so sick they had been unable to defend their metropolis. And when the god Dionysius despatched the daughters of Argos mad, a doctor used hellebores to revive their sanity.

If dealt with accurately they’ll have medicinal properties and had been utilized by early herbalists as a purgative to deal with a variety of situations, though I wouldn’t advocate making an attempt this at house. Witches are additionally believed to have used them to summon demons.

MOUNTAIN HIGH

Native to southern and central Europe, and located primarily in mountainous areas, hellebores had been one of many first vegetation imported to Britain, stated to have been introduced by the Romans. 

They’re a member of the buttercup household, ranunculaceae, and the hardier species are weather-resistant, as a result of the exteriors of their cup-like flowers are made up of powerful sepals. 

Probably the most versatile selection, of which I’ve a number of in my very own backyard, is H. x hybridus, generally often known as Lenten roses or oriental hellebores. These are available a large color palette starting from white, via cream, apricot, pale pink and magenta to blackish purple. 

The darker cultivars distinction nicely with white snowdrops, whereas the softer pinks look good subsequent to blue scillas. They’re typically speckled and will be single or doubleflowered, typically with ragged edges. So purchase and plant seedlings now whereas in flower, so what they’ll seem like. 

The very best hybrids embody Anna’s purple, Double Ellen White and Harvington pink speckled. 

Flowers don’t come true from seed and might solely be replicated by division, a course of they don’t take kindly to. When you do need to divide them, take a bit from the sting of a plant slightly than splitting it within the center.

They’re happier being transplanted entire in early spring and like moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, though they’ll tolerate full solar.

IN IT TO WIN IT

Hellebores hate competitors, however most are content material when planted underneath deciduous shrubs, the place they’ll benefit from the limelight in late winter. 

Single-flowered hellebores produce nectaries which are a welcome meals supply for early bees, though later within the season, these will fall off. The seedheads are finest eliminated to protect the plant’s vigour, and the seed must be sown instantly after accumulating. 

H. foetidus or stinking iris are larger than the oriental hellebores with nodding clusters of greenish white flowers towards dark-green palmate leaves. 

Along with H. argutifolius, the holly-leaved hellebore which has mock prickles on its foliage, they give the impression of being good in a woodland backyard alongside lily-of-thevalley (Convallaria majalis). 

H. niger, or the Christmas rose, is a extra delicate species, finest grown in containers or raised beds, the place it goes nicely with primroses. They’re smaller than the hybrids, with pure white or pinkish blooms towards darkish foliage. 

All varieties are liable to hellebore leaf spot, which causes black or brown patches on the leaves, which must be eliminated and burnt or disposed of individually from different backyard waste.