March 2010
Hail Hellebores!
Leonard J. Buck Garden, Far Hills, New Jersey
Have you had enough of Old Man Winter and can’t wait to see life in your garden? Hellebores may be just what the doctor ordered.
Hellebores are easy to care for, long-lived perennials that bloom from late winter to spring. Their rose-like blooms come in a variety of colors, from white, pink and burgundy to yellow and chartreuse; their petals may be solid or speckled and all are complemented by handsome, glossy, dark green foliage which stays fresh-looking throughout the year.
Hellebores are members of the genus
Helleborus. They comprise approximately 20 species of herbaceous perennial or evergreen flowering plants in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. They are native to areas of Europe and western Asia. The name helleborus, comes from the Greek “elein,” to injure,” and bora, “food,” referring to the poisonous leaves and roots.
At one time they were used to create poison tip arrows. Despite their toxicity, the ancient Greeks used hellebore to aid paralysis, gout, and other diseases; more particularly insanity. It was also used as a powerful purgative. Some historians believe that Alexander the Great died because of a hellebore overdose, when he took it as medication.
In Christian lore, the first hellebore grew from the spot where a little girl's tear dropped onto the snow because she had no gift for the Christ child. Legend also surrounds the hellebore as being used in witch craft; it is believed to have ties with summoning demons. Currently,
Helleborus hybridus is used as an herb for weight loss in Russian medicine, (I’ll keep my extra pounds, thank you).
Hellebores prefer moist, well-drained soil but they will adapt to almost any soil type. Once established, plants are somewhat drought tolerant, making them a good choice for growing in dry shade under trees. The flowers have five petal-like sepals that surround a ring of cup-like nectaries (petals modified to hold nectar). These sepals stay on the plant sometimes for many months giving hellebores a long "blooming" time.
Some popular varieties growing in Leonard J. Buck Garden include: Helleborous niger, Christmas rose. This low growing species is the earliest to bloom. Its 2-4-inch wide, white, golden centered, cup-shaped flowers are displayed on short, red spotted stems, often appearing in the snow. The dark, green, spiny basal leaves are divided into seven to nine egg-shaped leaflets. It stands 12-15 inches tall and 18 inches wide. Older roots are blackish, providing the species name niger, meaning dull black. They benefit from moist but well-drained neutral to alkaline soil in partial shade. Christmas rose is cold-hardy in USDA zones 5-9.
Helleborous x orientalis, Lenten rose. This most popular garden variety is a clump forming species that grows 18” high and is as wide. Large nodding flowers come in a variety of colors from white, green, pink and rose to purple, sometimes displaying dark freckles. This hellebore hybridizes freely and as a result you will find many hybrids. Lenten rose blooms later than Christmas rose and is cold-hardy in USDA zones 5-8. In the north divide H. niger, and H. orientalis in spring after flowers finish and supply them both with adequate moisture when new leaves are produced.
Helleborous argutifolius, Corsican Hellebore. Larger than its relatives, Corsican hellebore can grow 3 feet tall with an equal spread. Large clusters of nodding, apple-green cup-shaped flowers start opening in late winter above divided, spiny-margined, deep green foliage. It is not as cold-hardy as other hellebores, growing in USDA zones 6-9. This is the most sun and drought tolerant species of the genus.
Helleborous foetidus, stinking hellebore. This 18 x 18-inch clump forming hellebore has deeply divided, dark green, attractive evergreen leaves. In winter to early spring, drooping clusters of pale green, bell-shaped flowers, delicately edged with red, are borne on short stems. It prefers moist, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil.
H. foetidus and H. argutifolius do not form clearly identifiable root clumps and should not be divided. They do produce seedlings, which can be transplanted. Unfortunately, stinking hellebore’s common name comes from the skunk-like odor that is noticeable when the leaves are crushed.
●Due to hellebore’s toxicity it is best to wear gloves when working with them to avoid absorption through the skin.
Hellebores are essential elements in the late winter, early spring garden. They bloom with the earliest crocuses and snowdrops and long after, sometimes lasting till May. Their outstanding bold foliage provides a green backdrop for colorful summer and fall-blooming plants. Plant hellebores near a window or along an often used path so you can enjoy them; they may be just what the doctor ordered!
- Tricia Scibilia, interpretive gardener, Leonard J. Buck Garden, Somerset County Park Commission:
www.somersetcountyparks.org
**All photos by Tricia Scibilia
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