The hellebores are a species comprising 20 plants which belong to the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family. They are native to a large section of Europe but there greatest proliferation occurs in the Balkans. These are clump forming evergreen perennials They are happiest in a heavy, neutral to alkaline soil, and benefit from a mulch of leaf mould annually in the autumn. Although they will grow well in sun they are extremely shade tolerant and are a stable of the shady garden. They can reach an eventual height and spread of 45cm within 5 years.
Flowers are bourn from January through to March and as such they make an invaluable contribution to the winter and early spring garden. The best time to propagate plants by division is during dormancy which occurs between October and December. Although hellebores freely self seed the resultant offspring rarely come true to form.
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The hellebores are a species comprising 20 plants which belong to the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family. They are native to a large section of Europe but there greatest proliferation occurs in the Balkans. These are clump forming evergreen perennials They are happiest in a heavy, neutral to alkaline soil, and benefit from a mulch of leaf mould annually in the autumn. Although they will grow well in sun they are extremely shade tolerant and are a stable of the shady garden. They can reach an eventual height and spread of 45cm within 5 years.