My favorite is unquestionably Helleborus foetidus, the so named “stinking hellebore”. Though individuals generally be expecting smelly flowers, the only aspect of the plant that is fetid are the leaves, which leave an unpleasant odor on your fingers if you fondle your hellebores too significantly.
Helleborus foetidus has really dark evergreen leaves with prolonged “fingers” which clothe the eighteen-24″ tall stems. As a history plant to hostas and ferns in the summertime garden, Helleborus foetidus is marvelous. As the perennials of summer go to sleep, the evergreen clumps of Helleborus foetidus remain and come to be the emphasis of the winter season garden. In fall, the flowering stalks emerge, opening from October to around the very first of the 12 months with 1′ tall spikes of green bell-like flowers. These flowers continue being attractive right up until early spring.
Many thanks to keen gardeners all around the globe, there are now quite a few various types of Helleborus foetidus readily available. The most common is Helleborus foetidus ‘Wester Flisk’, an eye-catching plant with red stems and slatey green leaves. Helleborus foetidus ‘Red Silver’ Strain (Northwest Garden and Nursery) and ‘Piccadilly’ (Piccadilly Farms) are related strains. Helleborus ‘Green Giant’ is considerably larger and can typically get to 3′ tall. Other varieties boast more cutleaf foliage, dark black leaves, and a wide range of other special qualities. 1 of the most unique is Helleborus foetidus ‘Chedglow’, displaying golden foliage and colour that runs into the flower stalk. Helleborus foetidus is a brief-lived perennial with a everyday living expectancy of 2-3 years. The good news is, it is a prolific seeder and when your plant of Helleborus foetidus sets seed, you should by no means be with no this gem once more.
Helleborus argutifolius is also a worthwhile garden addition. Generating a 2′ tall x 2′ extensive evergreen clump, it is adorned with extremely serrate, trifoliate leaves. In late winter months, it is topped with stalks of creamy light green flowers. When winter temperatures drop below 15F, the foliage may become broken, but the plant resprouts very well when minimize back to the ground in spring. A single of the number of choices in the trade is the clonally reproduced Helleborus argutifolius ‘Silver Lace’ with stunning silvery pewter leaves, topped with green flowers.
The most tender of the caulescent species is also the most beautiful, Helleborus lividus from Spain. The silver and green patterned leaves sort a 2′ extensive clump, topped with green and pink flowers that would make any gardener covet this gem. While it has been hardy in our garden for fifteen many years, we are at the northernmost conclude of its selection given that it will need to be grown where by it will obtain great summer months heat. The only named cultivar of Helleborus lividus is Helleborus lividus ‘White Marble’ that boasts white veins, missing the red pigment far more typical of the species.
Caulescent Hellebore Hybrids
For these a bit additionally north, try the hybrid Helleborus x sternii (Helleborus argutifolius x Helleborus lividus). This hybrid combines the beauty of Helleborus lividus foliage with the upright expansion practice of Helleborus argutifolius. Each seed strains and tissue cultured clonal choices are available. Like Helleborus argutifolius, temperatures under 15 degrees F can hurt the aged foliage. Acaulescent Hellebore Hybrids, Hellebores From Seed – A Delightful Winter Flowering Plant, Hellebores From Seed – A Delightful Winter months Flowering Plant
Hellebores From Seed - A Delightful Winter Floweri 
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