Hellebore Care
- Light. Hellebores prefer partial to full shade. They can handle spring sun, but plant them in a spot that will become shadier as trees and other plants flush out.
- Soil. Hellebores grow best in soil that is rich with organic matter and well-draining. If your soil is acidic, consider adding lime, as hellebores prefer neutral or even alkaline conditions.
- Water. Although they like some moisture, hellebores should not be allowed sit in wet soil for prolonged periods of time or they will rot.
- Temperature and Humidity. Hardiness will vary with species, but you can find a hellebore suitable for USDA zones 3 to 9—most are hardy as far north as zone 4 or ...
- Fertilizer. Add an organic-rich fertilizer—compost or well-decayed manure—into the soil when planting, then continue to fertilize in spring and early fall.
How do I care for hellebores?
Soaking the soil in which the hellebore is growing helps the hellebore plant to look its best. Hellebore care includes the removal of older leaves when they appear damaged. Care for hellebores should also include careful fertilization. Too much nitrogen may result in lush foliage and a shortage of blooms. Plant hellebore seeds in the fall.
When should I fertilize my hellebores?
Q: My hellebores look fabulous in February and March. When should they be fertilized? A: As with most plants, fertilize when they are actively growing. I feed mine in November when I see the first new green leaves and again in February when the flowers appear. Any landscape fertilizer should work fine.
What kind of soil do hellebores like?
Hellebores grow best in soil that is rich with organic matter and well-draining. If your soil is acidic, consider adding lime, as hellebores prefer neutral or even alkaline conditions.
How do you get hellebores to grow faster?
An annual application of manure or compost will help to boost the growth of your hellebores. Provide plenty of water during spring and fall when they are actively growing. You can ease up during the summer because heat causes hellebores to go dormant. Photo by: Proven Winners.
What is the best fertilizer for hellebores?
Best Fertilizer For Hellebore Use a slow-release balanced fertilizer blend such as 10-10-10 or compost. The blend can be either a powder or granular formula. Liquid fertilizers work best when used for container gardening.
When should hellebores be fed?
Growing hellebores Penny Dawson of Twelve Nunns Nursery says that feeding plants with seaweed fertiliser in autumn, February and April, when they are developing new leaves, will deliver the best results.
Is bonemeal good for hellebores?
Add three handfuls of fish, blood and bone fertiliser (or bonemeal) to the dug soil and work it in. Replace sufficient soil back in the hole so that when your hellebore is planted it will be to the same level as it was in the pot. Place the roots in the hole and infill with the dug soil / compost / fertiliser.
Are hellebores acid loving?
In general, hellebores prefer neutral or slightly limy soils; a pH of about 7.0 seems ideal although good plants are often also seen around rhododendrons in gardens with acid conditions.
Do I need to fertilize hellebores?
Despite what most growers think, hellebores need a steady feed throughout the growing cycle with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 to 1.5. A slow release, eight- to nine-month fertilizer is recommended for spring planting.
Should hellebores be cut back after flowering?
I always cut off all the flower stems before the pods split. Finally, we're often encouraged to divide our hardy perennials every three years and to replant the healthiest pieces in improved soil.
Do hellebores like blood and bone?
Soil. Hellebores grow best in moist but well-draining soil that's rich in organic matter (for example, compost, sheep manure/pellets, Blood and Bone). They prefer neutral to alkaline soils, though will adapt to most conditions well.
Why are my hellebores not flowering?
If your hellebore won't bloom, the best thing to do is check to see if it seems root bound. If it isn't, then think back on when it flowered last. If it was summertime, it might need a while to acclimate. If you just transplanted it, the plant might need some time, too.
What to do with hellebores when finished flowering?
Many gardeners agree that once your hellebore plant finishes flowering, you should prune them. This generally happens in the later winter or early spring months. As soon as new growth starts to appear, trim them and get rid of the old leaves by slicing them at the base.
How do you Fertilise hellebores?
Fertilising & Maintenance of Hellebores Feeding should also be done at this time to support all the new growth. Firstly apply a certified organic pelletised fertiliser or aged manure and then a dose of eco-flo dolomite. The eco-flo dolomite will provide calcium and magnesium for healthy plants.
Why is my hellebore dying?
The disease known colloquially among hellebore growers as 'black death' causes stunting, distortion and black streaking and netting patterns on the leaves. It is probably caused by a virus called Helleborus net necrosis virus (HeNNV).
Should I deadhead my hellebores?
What is this? Some Hellebore plants have clusters of flowers that sit high above the plants. These stems can get very heavy and “droopy” on well established plants. When the tops of this variety gets too unwieldy, it is a good time to deadhead hellebore, stems and all!
How do you keep hellebores blooming?
0:112:18How to tidy up your hellebores after flowering - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake sure you've got at least 50% topsoil. In there as well as your multi-purpose.MoreMake sure you've got at least 50% topsoil. In there as well as your multi-purpose.
Do hellebores need ericaceous compost?
Q Should hellebores be mulched? A Mulching is useful, as long as you don't bury the new flower buds or growth, so only mulch very thinly around the neck of the hellebores. Spent mushroom compost is ideal, as long as there are no ericaceous plants nearby as it contains chalk.
How do you care for hellebores outside?
Hellebore care tips: An annual application of manure or compost will help to boost the growth of your hellebores. Provide plenty of water during spring and fall when they are actively growing. You can ease up during the summer because heat causes hellebores to go dormant.
What to do with hellebores when they finish flowering?
Many gardeners agree that once your hellebore plant finishes flowering, you should prune them. This generally happens in the later winter or early spring months. As soon as new growth starts to appear, trim them and get rid of the old leaves by slicing them at the base.
What is a Hellebore?
The common name "hellebore" is assigned to several species of plants in the Helleborus genus of the Ranunculaceae family, which also includes monkshood, delphinium, and anemone. Hellebores used to be the domain of specialty plant collectors, but recent hybridizing has introduced several varieties that are easy to grow and readily available.
What is the best color for hellebore?
More and more hybrids are being offered in single colors. Here are some favorites: Helleborus x hybridus 'Anna's Red': This plant has rich red-purple blooms and leaves that are veined with pink. It is suitable for zones 4 to 9.
What zone is Hellebore hardy?
Hardiness will vary with species, but you can find a hellebore suitable for USDA zones 3 to 9—most are hardy as far north as zone 4 or 5. In colder climates, protect hellebores from harsh winter winds. Hellebores tolerate a wide range of humidity.
What family is Hellebore in?
How to Grow Hellebore. The common name "hellebore" is assigned to several species of plants in the Helleborus genus of the Ranunculaceae family, which also includes monkshood, delphinium, and anemone. Hellebores used to be the domain of specialty plant collectors, but recent hybridizing has introduced several varieties that are easy to grow ...
What is the best zone for Helleborus x hybridus?
Helleborus x hybridus 'Citron': This plant has unusual primrose yellow blooms and is suitable for zones 6 to 9. Helleborus x hybridus 'Angel Glow': The cultivar has pale pink flowers that fade to green as they age. Grow it in zones 6 to 8.
When do Helleborus orientalis bloom?
In warm locales, Helleborus orientalis can bloom outdoors at Christmastime. In colder zones, hellebores will break through the frozen ground early in the spring. Their foliage remains attractive into the summer, so they are suitable for splashy, mass plantings.
Can hellebores live in wet soil?
Although they like some moisture, hellebores should not be allowed sit in wet soil for prolonged periods of time or they will rot. Once established, they can handle drier soil.
How to grow hellebores?
An annual application of manure or compost will help to boost the growth of your hellebores.
What are the characteristics of a hybrid hellebores?
Characteristics: Low-maintenance, deer-resistant. Hybrid hellebores get their common name, Lenten rose, from the rose-like flowers that appear in early spring around the Christian observance of Lent.
What is a Helleborus x hybridus?
For landscape craftsman Jerry Fritz, Helleborus x hybridus (hybrid Lenten rose) are staples in the landscapes he designs for his clients. “Hellebores are among the earliest and certainly the most exquisite flowers in the spring garden.” Until recently however, named varieties were all but impossible to find. Advances in propagation through division, tissue culture, and hand-pollination have resulted in more diverse flower colors, forms, patterns, increased plant vigor, and larger blooms. According to Fritz, “The newer hybrids are not only accessible and collectible, they are seriously addicting as well.” With improved breeding techniques producing a seemingly endless array of new varieties in recent years, these perennial favorites are worthy of a second look.
Do hellebores bloom in shade?
Tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions, hybrid hellebores perform best when sited in partial shade in rich, moist, but well-draining soil. Hellebores are quite easy to grow, and since they are perennials, will continue to bloom for a number of years.
Is Hellebore poisonous to dogs?
Hellebores contain toxins that are harmful to pets and humans, so keep them out of reach. See more Common Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats.
Can hellebore be transplanted from potting mix?
When transplanting hellebores directly from their nursery containers, be sure to shake off the potting mix and free up any bound roots.
Do hellebores need to be divided?
Do hellebores need to be divided? It's not usually necessary for the health of the plant; but if you wish to divide them, this is best done in fall. Hellebores can be fussy about being dug up and moved, so it's generally just best to leave them be.
What happens if you leave a hellebore?
If you leave the old growth for too long, it’ll become entangled with the new growth and much harder to trim away. Hellebores can also fall prey to snails and slugs, and masses of foliage give them moist, dark places to hide.
When do hellebores bloom?
Image by JoaBal. Hellebores are beautiful flowering plants that bloom early in the spring or even late winter. Most varieties of the plant are evergreens, which means last year’s growth is still hanging around when the new spring growth appears, and this can sometimes be unsightly.
