Hellebores - Propagating and Varieties
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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.

As soon as the seedlings appear uncover them and in a few weeks prick them out into individual 12.5cm (5in) pots filled with John Innes No 2 (70%), washed grit (15%) and multi-purpose potting compost (15%).

The plants will need feeding from about six weeks after potting them up and should be repotted when they become pot bound.

Recommended Hellebore Varieties
Almost without exception, all Hellebores make excellent plants. Our particular favorites which can be found in many nurseries are listed below.

Helleborus orientalis (or hybridus)

Evergreen perennial with green divided foliage. The flower colour depends on the variety - white, pink and purple being the most usual. Click on the left hand picture to enlarge it.

The flowers appear in late winter to early spring, and on plants five or more years old, there are often 50 or more flower stems.

A real 'stunner' at a time of year when the garden is sorely lacking sophisticated colour.

Height and spread is 45cm (18in), they prefer partial shade and are fully hardy. Expect these plants to live for 15 years or more. Not available as seed, purchase as a pot plant - readily available from nurseries.

Helleborus foetidus

This hellebore is a native of Britain, and is extremely well adapted to cooler climates. It is more short-lived than many other Hellebores, but will be an exceptional plant for five years or more. Click on the picture to the right for a larger version.

This is an evergreen perennial with dark green divided foliage. Be aware that the name 'foetidus' indicates that scent of the flower is smelly to put it mildly!

The flower colour is a pale green, with some varieties (notably 'Wester Flisk') having a red rim to the flower. The flowers appear in late winter to early spring, occasionally coming in to flower at Christmas. Helleborus foetidus definitely benefits from cutting back the old foliage to the ground in June to encourage new growth throughout the year.

It readily self-seeds, and after five years, the parent plant should be replaced by one of the seedlings, which will produce flowers the next year. Height and spread is 45cm (18in), they prefer partial shade and are fully hardy. Purchase as a pot plant - readily available from nurseries.

Helleborus argutifolius (or corsicus).

A great hellebore to grow because it self-seeds so easily. It has lovely evergreen glossy leaves with spiky edges.

The flowers are pale green / yellow and appear in bunches of six or more. very attractive and unusual. An extremely easy hellebore to grow, it will even self-seed in between paving slabs!

After years or so, replace with one of the seedlings which you are bound to find elsewhere in your garden.

Helleborus sternii

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GardenAction recommend CROCUS as your online supplier of Hellebores. We have personally tested many online gardening suppliers and have found out from personal experience that CROCUS offer excellent value for money, reliability and security. When you visit the CROCUS site for your Hellebore, enter 'hellebore' in their search box (shown as 'or find me info on') to see the full range of hellebores or enter the specific name of the Hellebore your are searching for. Good luck with your new Hellebore!

Hellebores - Propagating and Varieties (continued)

Hellebores - Propagating and Varieties
(continued)