Clifton Homestead Hellebores
We
have grouped our hellebores a little differently to most on our
website. The majority of the hellebores we grow are known as Helleborus
x hybridus – formerly known as H x orientalis and we have split this group into Double flowered hybrids and Single flowered Hybrids.
Within the Double flowered Hybrids we also have the Anemone Centered Hybrids which have become very popular.
The last group of Hellebores we have listed under ‘Other Hellebores’ includes H.niger ‘White Magic’, the plant that started it all for us, and a range of species/hybrids that we have acquired and bred over the years.
Growing Tips
Hellebores are very hardy and will survive in a range of conditions but will thrive in conditions they like. Generally, they like neutral or slightly alkaline soils with a pH of around 7. If they don’t seem happy an addition of lime may help (although avoid this if they are planted with rhododendrons as rhododendrons don’t like lime). Hellebores will cope with most soil types except excessively wet and waterlogged soils. Organic material worked into the soil will help hellebores thrive. When the H x hybridus plants are established we remove the old leaves in the winter as the flowers start to emerge. This is not necessary, but does help let more air around the plant to reduce fungal diseases and help make the flowers stand out more. If you don’t want a lot of seedlings around the plant, it pays to remove the flower heads before the seed falls. Aphids love hellebores in the summer. If this is a concern an insecticide spray will help, but the plant will survive if you don’t.