Helleborus foetidus (or stinking hellebore as it is commonly called) is now budding up nicely in the gravel ! I meant to prick out the seedlings last year, but didn’t get round to doing it, so some of these are now beginning to flower. I had the original in the raised bed above, but it died off last year – I think it was in for approx. 4 or 5 years. This plant is easy to grow, and it will tolerate dry shade and grow under the canopies of trees, where it will naturalise and self seed!

Helleborus foetidus

Evergreen,leathery toothed leaves, all year round, flowering from late winter to early spring in most soils!Preferably neutral to alkaline!   Prefers partial shade. Will grow to approx 2′.

Seedlings best pricked out and grown on in pots during the cold winter months as this is when they root best! Seed will come true to type – provided you grow them in isolation from other varieties of Hellebores!                                                                                                                             Nice double flowered variety!

Please remember to burn any diseased or blackened foliage – do not compost!! Cut foliage stems right back to ground level – be careful not to pull, as sometimes the flowering stems come away too!

Blackened leaves!