Specialist Plant Advice
Growing Hellebore
Hellebores are one of the first plants to bring colour to the garden each year. Their elegant flowers brighten borders, containers and shady spaces from late winter into spring, making them one of the most rewarding perennials to grow. With the right position and a little seasonal care, hellebores will return year after year, producing larger clumps and even more flowers.
Need to know
• Plant in fertile, well-drained soil.
• Best grown in partial shade although many varieties tolerate full sun if the soil stays moist.
• Remove last year's leaves in winter before the flowers appear.
• Feed each spring to encourage healthy growth and more flowers.
• Leave plants undisturbed to form larger clumps over time.
Containers
Growing Hellebores in Pots
Hellebores grow extremely well in containers provided they have enough space and excellent drainage.
Choose a quality peat-free compost, ensure the pot has drainage holes and avoid allowing the compost to become waterlogged during winter.
Feed in spring and repot every few years as the plant increases in size.
Winter Care
Removing Old Leaves
One of the most important jobs with hellebores is removing the previous year's foliage before the flower buds fully open.
This allows the flowers to stand out, improves air circulation around the plant and helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Fresh new leaves will quickly replace the old foliage after flowering.
Care
Looking After Hellebores
Once established, hellebores require very little maintenance.
Water during prolonged dry periods, particularly through their first growing season. Feed each spring with a balanced fertiliser to encourage healthy foliage and abundant flowers.
Allow plants to develop naturally and they will reward you with larger clumps and more flowers every year.
Planting
Planting Your Hellebores
Prepare the soil by adding plenty of compost or well-rotted organic matter before planting.
Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball and plant at the same depth as it was growing in the pot. Firm the soil gently around the plant and water thoroughly after planting.
Applying a mulch each spring helps retain moisture, suppress weeds and gradually improves the soil.
Getting Started
Choosing the Right Position
Hellebores thrive in partial shade and are perfect beneath deciduous trees, woodland borders or sheltered areas of the garden.
They prefer fertile, moisture-retentive soil that drains well and should not sit in water during winter. Once established they are extremely long-lived plants that require very little attention.
Choose a position where they can be enjoyed during late winter and early spring when they are at their very best.
From the grower
Alan's Top Tip
One of the simplest ways to make your hellebores look their best is to remove the old leaves in late winter just before the flowers emerge. It improves airflow, reduces disease and allows the beautiful flowers to become the star of the show.
Newlands Growers Club
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