Hellebores - Propagating and Varieties (continued)

Hellebores From Seed
Many Hellebores self-seed very easily and if you can find seedlings near the parent plant, dig them up in early autumn or late spring and replant them where needed.

One key factor with Hellebore seed is that it is at it's best when fresh - after 8 weeks or so, the germination rate will begin to deteriorate rapidly. So, if you can collect your own seed and use it quickly, that is best. Collect the seed in late spring / early summer time. The sides are ripe when the pods start to dry out and then begin to split open. After picking the seed pod, shake out the seeds and separate them from any of the pod debris. Sow as soon as possible after

There are also many nurseries which sell hellebore seed and the specialist ones generally ensure that the seed is fresh. However, it is best to ask for yourself. Click here for a few nurseries across the UK which have been recommended.

Sow the seed in July, in 12.5cm (5in) pots filled with a 50/50 mixture of John Innes Seed compost and any good multi-purpose compost. Cover the seed with a thin layer (no more than 1 cm) of washed grit or vermiculite. The pots should be left outside in the shade during the warm weather and if pests prove a problem, cover them something. Ensure that the compost remains moist but not soaking wet.

The seedlings will not appear until mid-autumn time at the earliest and may well not appear until March the next year. With Helleborus foetidus, the seedlings will often take as long as two years to germinate. Note also that Helleborus vesicarius will die back after producing a few leaves and you may think it has died - it has not! It will reappear the following November.