Is it too late to plant Hellebores?

Absolutely not!  I have even had the occasion to move a mature well-established Hellebore from one section of my garden to the other in early December.   Planting a new garden of hellebores is much less risky. 

Hellebores are tolerant plants, and given a good start are easy and very rewarding.  They will grow in most any soil from chalk to clay.  Much like any other plant, they will thrive in augmented soil. However, they are tough and even less than thorough attention will not prevent them from giving a handsome display.  They are not overly-fond of being moved too often but establish well once they are in place.  Hellebores are as diverse as they are beautiful. 

Of the many types of this uncommon perennial are the caulescent forms.  Hellebores are separated into two main groups horticulturally. Simply put, the caulescent hellebores are those with (above-ground) stems and the acaulescent which have stems that you cannot see.  Basically, the caulescents are easier to hybridize and have a much more significant presence in the landscape.

We grow H. orientalis, H. foetidus, H. niger and H. argutifolius with great success and have them available throughout the year in liners, quarts, and gallons.   We are pleased to offer the entire 'Lady Series' in its multitude of colors from white, yellow, pink, blue, red as well as the spotted varieties.  They have recently gained popularity and look amazing in masses of one color or mixed together like garden confetti.

Often you might see Hellebores x hybridus (hybrids).  It is a general name coined in the late 1800's to cover hybrids between H. orientalis and any other Hellebore species.  It is usual for these hybrids to behave most like the H. orientalis rather than its cross.  We keep a large inventory of hybrids because it is usually the first introduction of Hellebores a designer will make for their client. 

After the first bloom your customers will likely request specific varieties.  A lot of Hellebore collectors' passions have started in just this very way!

Varieties

H. orientalis features a rainbow of flower colors with a distinct leathery leaf structure that remains shiny and evergreen.  It is a significant addition to a woodland garden design.  Blooms late winter or very early spring and wil grow in moist to wet soils.  It thrives in variable light conditions from part sun to full shade.  It is deer resistant, rabbit resistant and very little trouble at all.  It is excellent for naturalizing or as a rock garden plant.  It takes will when planted near the base of a tree.  H. orientalis is probably the most well-known of all as the Lenten Rose.

H. foetidus is best known as the "stinking" Hellebore.  It is one of those plants whose foliage is most aromatic just before flowering.  Early studies proved that the smell comes from yeast which colonises in the nectaries of the plant which will raise the temperature of the flower and aid in attracting pollinators.  The volatile organic compound begins to evaporate and fill the air around out.  Some abhor the fragrance, some love it others don't even notice it.  Either way it is not overwhelming reason not to grow this handsome perennial.  It has a unique appearance with its fanned-out toothy foliage.  It is tough and  mostly evergreen.  It is an excellent and obedient companion plants. 

H. argutifolius is loved for all of its traditional Hellebore qualities but it has unique flower clusters atop its handsome leaves.  Little soft bouquets of nodding flowers which appear ABOVE the foliage.   This is a rare variety and has an interesting background.  Strangely, it was found in the wild confined to two Mediterranean islands: Corsica and Sardinia.  It is still widespread in Corsica all over the island.  The strange part is that it is not found in Italy which is the next closest mainland.  Despite its mysterious likey to only these two islands it grows beautifully in almost every state in our union here.  It proliferates successfully in full sun unlike the other Hellebores and will stretch a bit in too much shade.   The rich green, slightly marbled foliage is ruggedly tooth and sharp to the touch on mature leaves.  It is fully hardy in zone 5 and very long-lived.

In the Landscape

Hellebores make excellent companion plants to woodland settings, formal and informal border gardens, and in outdoor garden rooms.  Their unique and evergreen foliage commands attention whether blooming or not.  Above are some examples of Hellebores in a woodland walk and as background for the late r blooming Trillium. They do beautifully under trees and in mass as a ground cover.  There is no issue with rabbit or deer.  They even make excellent cut flowers and are traditionally used in English designs at Lent and Christmas.  

Recently, we have noticed a revival of their use in wedding bouquets and formal arrangments.  It is an English tradition that is making its way here to the States.  

That seems to be the short history with this perennial.   

Hellebores were prized in the English garden and then brought to North America ship-board by the colonials.  They have a long religious and medicinal history in Europe and became a part of the collections by the settlers.  Unfortunately, there early introduction is riddled with paucity.  There are two likely factors: 1. they are succulent-like and likely dried out during the ocean journey and 2. they are slow to recover went transplanted or propagated from cuttings.   Nevertheless, the love of the Hellebore and the desire to keep it caused gardeners to solicit the Hellebores from new-comers, write their families for shipment in the new "Wardian" cases and collect seeds from any surviving plants that they had of their own. 

This early passionate effort makes the Hellebore one of the oldest imported plants in North America.

Sources and references for growing-guides and cultural history:

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