How to grow hellebores

Hellebore hybrids or Lenten roses are spring-flowering hardy perennial plants that are fairly easy going. They have a preference for partial shade but can be found growing in full sun or full shade where they seem to thrive anyway. They are also tolerant of most types of soil as long as it is not water-logged and fairly rich. Grow them with other spring flowering plants such as primroses, violets and snow drops for an early splash of colour. Growing them on a raised bed or at eye height on a bank is a great way to admire their drooping flowers.

Exposure

Light to partial shade. An ideal position would be under deciduous trees. A north-facing or north-east bed.

Soil

Well-drained rich soil. Add plenty of organic matter and compost before planting.

Planting

Don’t plant too closely together - about a 50cm – 1m apart. They will form fairly large clumps when they are fully established that spread about 50cm.

If the plant is very dry, stand the pot in water for a few hours before planting. You may need to cut the plant out of the pot if it is too root-bound. Untangle the roots or chop the bottom of the root-ball with a clean, sharp knife if necessary, to encourage growth. Do not bury the crown in the soil, leave it at the same level as in its pot. Water in well.

Copyright Mona Larochelle photographie

General care

Cut off all the old leaves at the end of winter before the new flowers emerge in the spring to avoid black spot. (Do not compost the old leaves, burn or take to the tip). Watch out for aphids, especially as the new leaves emerge and spray with black soap.

Mulch once a year to bring more nutrients to the soil and keep the moisture in.

Propagating

Hellebores will self-seed freely. Please note that the seedlings are quite difficult to move once established and can crowd the mother plant. Either cut the seed heads before the seeds spread everywhere or move the seedlings fairly quickly to a more suitable spot.

It is also possible to divide mature plants in autumn though this is quite tough to do. You will need to cut the root ball with a very sharp spade. They can also take a while to re-establish once moved.