Helleborus

A family of mostly evergreen perennials with lance shape toothed leaflets that are often leathery. The long-lasting cold-resistant flowers are borne during winter to early spring. All parts of the plant are very poisonous to consume. Most Helleborus thrive in shade or partial shade with many species making excellent groundcover if planted close enough. Helleborus are DEER RESISTANT!
Slow to establish first 2 years; vigorous after that, however the wait is well worth it on these very long lived plants featuring showy blooms and excellent foliage.
Most species are most vigorous and easily grown on moist, fertile, humus-rich, well drained soil with a PH over 6.5. In cold climates without reliable snowcover, it is recommended to mulch to protect the roots during winter. Doe not fertilize during summer, the roots are sensitive to fertilizer burn at any time. It is more important to keep the root system shaded and cool during summer to promote root development. All species grow more vigorously if deadheaded immediately after blooming, with old flower stalks cut to the ground ( be careful not to damage newly emerging foliage ). Species are easy to grow from seed, cultivars do not come true from seed. Helleborus(s) can be divided immediately after blooming during spring.




Helleboris abchasicus
Native to the Caucasus and reaching up to 20 x 20 inches. This Helleborus has early drooping purple-red flowers up to 3.2 inches in size.

Helleborus antiquorum
Reaching up to 1 x 1 foot; this Helleborus has late. red-purple flowers that are green at the base and are up to 2.3 inches in size.

Helleborus argutifolius ( Corsican Helleborus )
Reaching up to 4 x 4 ( rarely over 2.5 ) feet with evergreen foliage divided into glossy dark green, leathery, Holly like spiny margined leaflets up to 8 inches long. It is native to Sardinia and Corsica.
The pendulous winter to early spring flowers, up to 2 inches wide, are very light green sometimes streaked purple.
Looks great with Polystichum ferns.
and hardy zones 6 to 9 in sun to partial shade. Prefers dryish neutral, well drained soils.

* photo taken on May 16 2011 in Washington, D.C.

* photo taken on Sep 6 2012 in Harford Co., MD

* photos taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

'Janet Starnes' ( Speckled Corsican Helleborus )
Foliage is speckled creamy-white; otherwise identical.

* photos taken on Aug 1 2013 in Stratford, Ontario

'Pacific Frost'
Deep green foliage is heavily speckled white; otherwise similar to species.

* photo taken on May 3 2014 in Baltimore Co., MD

Helleborus atrorubens
Also called Helleborus dumetorium subsp atrorubens. A clumping perennial, reaching up to 20 x 20 inches, that is native to southeastern Europe ( only in northwest Yugoslavia ). The leathery shiny foliage is evergreen only in mild climates. The leaves, up to 10 inches across, are deep green, often with a purplish tint. They are composed of 7 to 11 segments.
The very early dark-violet flowers are up to 2 inches across. They are borne late winter to mid-spring.
Hardy zones 4 + in partial shade, it is very heat tolerant.

Helleborus x ballardiae

'Anna's Red'
Forms a vigorous clump up to 14 x 10 inches in 1 year, eventually to 2 x 3 feet.
The attractive foliage is bronze-green ( with pink veins ) at first, later turning to deep green with creamy-white marbling. The leaves, up to 10 x 10 inches in size, are composed of 4 to 6 obovate leaflets, up to 7 x 2.4 inches in size. The leaf stalks are deep red.
The abundant, deep purplish-red flowers appear late winter to mid-spring. The stems are also deep red.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

* photo taken on Mar 25 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 16 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 20 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 16 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 11 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 31 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 19 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Cinnamon Snow'
Forms a vigorous clump up to 10 x 14 inches in 1 year, eventually to 1.3 x 2 feet. it is a hybrid of Helleborus niger & H. lividus.
The foliage is deep green. The leaves are composed of 3 to 5 leaflets, up to 3.2 x 2.2 inches in size.
The flowers, up to 3.2 inches wide, are white, aging to pink. They are borne on deep red stalks. The flowers appear over a long season from mid-winter to early spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 8

* photos taken on Mar 9 2021 in Elkridge, MD

* photo taken on Mar 23 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 17 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 15 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 19 2023 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA

* photo taken on June 24 2022 in Columbia, MD

'Mahogany Snow'
Forms a vigorous clump up to 10 x 14 inches in 1 year, eventually to 1.3 x 2 feet. it is a hybrid of Helleborus niger & H. lividus.
The foliage is deep green. The leaves are composed of 3 to 5 leaflets, up to 4.2 x 2.2 inches in size.
The flowers, up to 3.2 inches wide, are white outerward facing and deep pink inner. They are borne on deep red stalks. The flowers appear over a long season from mid-winter to early spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 8

* photo taken on Feb 22 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 6 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 11 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Merlin'
Very vigorous, forming a dense clump up to 1.3 x 3.5 feet in size. It is as a hybrid of Helleborus niger and Helleborus lividus.
The very attractive foliage is glossy very deep green with bright green veins. The leaves, up to 8 x 9 inches in size, are composed of 5 eliptical leaflets up to 7 x 2.3 inches in size.
The very abundant flowers, up to 2.2 inches wide, are bright pink at first, later deepening to deep dusky-pink. They appear late winter into early spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

* photos taken on Apr 28 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 14 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Feb 9 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 26 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 20 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 15 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 16 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 14 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 11 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 18 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Pink Frost'
The very vigorous hybrid between H. niger x H. lividus. Reaches up to 2 x 3 ( rarely over 1.5 x 2 ) feet, with burgundy-red stems bearing deep blue-green foliage that is boldly veined silver. The ovate leaflets are up to 5.6 x 2.4 inches in size.
The very abundant flowers, up to 3 inches across, borne late winter into mid spring, are deep red in bud, opening to pinkish-white then later fading back to deep red.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in partial to full shade.

* photos taken on Mar 11 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 17 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 14 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 20 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 18 2015 in Columbia, MD

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* photo taken on May 2 2016 in Columbia, MD

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* photos taken on May 15 2018 in Columbia, MD

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* photos taken on Mar 9 2020 in Columbia, MD

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* photo taken on June 1 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 14 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 22 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 3 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 24 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 3 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 16 2022 in Columbka, MD

* photos taken on Mar 18 2022 in Columbia, MD

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* photos taken on Mar 1 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 15 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 18 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 26 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 7 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Spring Party'
Forms a vigorous evergreen clump, reaching up to 1 x 1.1 foot in 1 year, eventually to 1.5 x 2 feet. It is a hybrid between Helleborus lividus & H. niger.
The attractive foliage is deep green with silvery-white marbling and veins. The broadly-elliptical leaflets on a year old plant are up to 3.1 x 2.1 inches in size, larger on older clumps.
The huge, creamy-white flowers, up to 3 inches across, are borne late winter into mid spring.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 ( 5 on protected sites ). It is not as heat tolerant as many other Helleborus(s).

* photo taken on Mar 20 2013 in Columbia, MD
* patent photo

Helleborus 'Bayli's Blush'
Part of the Frostkiss Series, forms a vigorous clump up to 1.5 x 2.5 feet.
The attractive foliage is deep green with silvery veins. The elliptical leaflets are up to 6 x 3.2 inches in size.
The creamy-white ( blushed with lavender ) flowers appear over a very long season from mid-winter to mid-spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

Helleborus cyclophyllus ( Grecian Helleborus )
Native to Albania, Greece, Yugoslavia & Bulgaria and reaching up to 2 x 2 feet.
Foliage is deciduous with up to 9 ovate, conspicuously-veined leaflets with lobed and finely-toothed margins. The leathery foliage is bright green. The entire leaf is up to 12 inches wide.
The bright golden-green flowers up to 3 inches wide, are borne from January to April depending on climate.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in sun or partial shade, it is easy to grow. Very heat tolerant once established and best in dryish neutral soil.

Helleborus 'Dorothy's Dawn'
Part of the Frostkiss Series. Forms a vigorous clump, up to 1 x 1 foot in 1 year, eventually to 20 x 20 inches in size.
The foliage is pinkish at first, turning to light green with a silvery overlay. The leaves are composed of toothed, ovate leaflets, up to 6 x 5 inches in size.
The outward-facing flowers, up to 2.8 inches wide, are pale pink and creamy-white. The long-lasting flowers appear from late winter to mid spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 8

Helleborus x ericsmithii
A series of hybrids between Helleborus x sternii & H. niger

'Joker'
Forms a clump up to 0.9 x 1.5 feet in 1 year, eventually up to 1.5 x 2 feet.
The foliage is deep silvery-green. The leaves, up to 7.3 x 9 inches in size, are composed of 5 elliptical leaflets, up to 4.7 x 2 inches in size.
The extremely abundant, creamy-white ( backed deep pink ) flowers, up to 2.2 inches wide, appear over a long period during late winter into early spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

* photo taken on Mar 9 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 1 2023 in Elkridge, MD

'Winter's Bliss'
Also called 'HGC Winter Bliss' or 'Champion'. It is a hybrid between Helleborus niger and Helleborus x sternii. Forms a moderate growing, evergreen clump, reaching up to 1.5 x 2.5 feet.
The foliage is rich, glossy, deep blue-green. The leaves, up to 10 x 12 inches in size, are composed of 5 elliptical leaflets, up to 7.5 x 2.5 inches in size.
The abundant, large, single flowers are borne late winter into early spring. The flowers are creamy-white above, deep pink on the reverse.
Hardy zones 4 to 8.

* photos taken on Apr 6 2013 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Mar 25 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 18 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 22 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 19 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 16 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 31 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Jan 26 2024

* photos taken on Feb 19 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 11 2024 in Columbia, MD

Helleborus foetidus ( Stinking Helleborus )
Native to Europe ( England to Germany & south to the Mediterranean ) and rapid growing reaching up to 3 x 4 feet in size. The leaves are evergreen, shiny black-green, up to 10 inches in size and are made of 7 to 13 leathery, narrow, toothed leaflets. The pale green edged maroon drooping flowers borne in March ( December to April depending on climate ) are up to 2 inches across.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in and heat tolerant.
Grows well in partial shade ( full shade also under deciduous trees ).
May become deciduous in severe winters.

* photos taken on May 8 2010 @ McCrillis Gardens, Bethesda, MD




* photos taken on May 16 2010 @ Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore, MD


* photo taken on 4th of July 2010 in Washington, D.C.

* photo taken on Mar 7 2013 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
* photo taken on May 7 2014 @ London Town Gardens, Edgewater, MD

* photo taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photos taken on Mar 18 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

'Bowles Form'
Larger more vigorous plant with more finely divided foliage.

'Green Giant'
Taller plant up to 5 feet with extremely dark green to almost black foliage.

'Italian Form'
Like Bowles Form but with more flowers.

'Leather & Lace'
Forms a clump up to 1.8 x 3 feet, with blackish-green, very deeply-cut foliage.

'Picadilly' ( Bearclaw Helleboris )
Foliage is dark black-green with grayish overlay. Flowerstalks tinged red.
Hardy north to zone 3.

* photo taken on Mar 23 2011 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on Mar 7 2013 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

'Ruth'
Dark green deeply cut foliage turning to red in autumn.

'Sienna'
Darker green foliage.

'Sopron'
Metallic glossy green foliage.
It grows very large, larger than regular Helleborus foetidus.

'Tros-os-Montes'
Deeply serrated leaflets and green flowers.

Helleborus 'Glenda's Gloss'
Part of the Frostkiss series. Forms a vigorous clump up to 14 x 12 inches in 1 year, eventually to 2 x 2 feet.
The attractive foliage is deep green with silvery veins. The leaves are composed of toothed, ovate leaflets, up to 6 x 4 inches in size.
The showy, outward-facing flowers, up to 2.4 inches wide, are white and boldly edged violet-purple. They appear late winter into early spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

* photos taken on Mar 7 2024 in Elkridge, MD

Helleborus 'Ivory Prince'
A vigorous, evergreen hybrid reaching up to 1.6 x 1.8 feet in 2 years, eventually to 1.5 x 2.5 feet. The attractive foliage is blue-green. The leaves, up to 8.5 x 7 inches in size, are composed of 3 to 7 ovate leaflets, up to 4 x 2.6 inches in size. The white ( with rose-pink streaks ) flowers, up to 2.2 inches wide, are borne late winter into early spring. Extremely heavy flowering, a single plant may bear over 80 flowers at a time.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( reports of 4 ) in partial to full shade.

* photos taken on May 7 2012 in Baltimore, MD

* photo taken on Sep 14 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 13 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 8 2013 in Baltimore, MD
* photos taken on May 20 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 1 2013 in Stratford, Ontario

* photo taken on July 18 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* photo taken on Apr 17 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 27 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 16 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 25 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 19 2024 in Bayfield, ON

Helleborus lividus ( Majorcan Hellebore )
Rapid growing, reaching up to 40 inches x 3 feet in size, that is native to the Mediterranean island of Majorca in Sprain.
The leathery foliage is evergreen and is divided into glossy deep green leathery leaflets that are veined gray.
The drooping flowers are up to 2.3 inches wide and are flushed pink outside, green inside. They are borne from December to April depending on climate.
Heat tolerant and hardy from zone 6 to 9

subsp 'corsicus' ( Corsican Helleborus )
Native to the Mediterranean and reaching up to 3 x 3 feet. The grayish leaves are up to 12 inches in length with 3 leaflets.
The flowers are yellowish-green and drooping in March.

Helleborus 'Molly's White'
Forms a very vigorous clump up to 14 x 10 inches in 1 year, eventually to 1.5 x 3.4 feet in size.
The very attractive foliage is deep green and heavily-veined silver. The very large leaves, up to 12 x 14 inches in size, are composed of elliptical leaflets up to 9 x 5 inches in size.
The abundant, pure white flowers, up to 3.2 inches wide, appear on abundant stalks during mid-winter to mid-spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

* photos taken on Apr 21 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 1 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 23 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 1 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 19 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 5 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 22 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 6 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 24 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 16 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 17 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 24 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 19 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 2 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 19 2024 in Columbia, MD

Helleborus 'Moondance'
Part of the Frostkiss series, forms a clump up to 14 x 10 inches in 1 year, eventually to 2 x 2 feet.
The attractive deep green foliage is boldly veined silver. The leaves are composed of 3 to 5 toothed, ovate leaflets, up to 6 x 4 inches in size.
The white ( with greenish-yellow center ) flowers, up to 3.2 inches wide, appear over a long season from mid-winter into mid-spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 8

* photo taken on Mar 25 2023 in Elkridge, MD

* photos taken on Mar 19 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 31 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 4 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

Helleboris multifidus
Native to Albania, Yugoslavia and Italy; this Helleboris forms a clump to 20 x 32 inches in size. Its main feature is its finely-dissected, blackish-green, evergreen foliage. The leaves, up to 17 inches wide, are composed of 5 to 7 leaflets.
The green, nodding flowers, up to 2.3 inches wide, are borne during early to mid spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in partial to full shade. It is clay and alkaline soil tolerant.

Helleborus niger ( Christmas Rose )
Native to mountain forests of central and southern Europe; this Helleboris forms a rapid growing clump to 2 x 4 feet in size.
The leathery, glossy deep green, evergreen leaves up to 12 inches across and are divided into 5 to 9 toothed leaflets.
The white to pinkish-white, nodding flowers, up to 4 inches wide, are borne from January to March. It sometimes blooms under the snow.
Hardy from zones 3 to 6 ( protected site in 3 & 4 ) and hates hot summers or excessive winter wind. Likes deciduous woodland shade on deep, limey to neutral, dryish, well drained loamy soil. Can be slow to established but well worth it.

* photo taken on March 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum

* photos taken on May 8 2010 @ McCrillis Gardens, Bethesda, MD

* photo taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photo taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* historic archive photos

'Blackthorn Group'
Tall and vigorous with black stems. Flowers are pink in bud opening to white then fading to pink.

* photo taken on Mar 19 2013 in Columbia, MD

'Foliis Variegatis'
foliage variegated with cream in spring.

'Jacob'
Glossy deep green foliage, it is mostly similar in foliage and clump size to the species.
Very early blooming, from early to mid winter in mild climates. The abundant, pure white flowers, up to 3 inches wide, face upward or to the side, making them more visible. The flower stalks are deep red creating great contrast with the flowers.

* photo taken on May 1 2014 in Columbia, MD

'HGC Josef Lemper'
Forms a moderate growing clump up to 1.5 x 2.5 feet, with upright stems bearing huge, pure white flowers, up to 3.7 inches across, all winter long.
The foliage is deep green.

* photos taken on April 15 2012 in Ellicott City, MD



* photo taken on Jan 14 2013 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on Mar 18 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on Apr 23 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on Apr 16 2019 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on May 27 2019 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Mar 30 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 25 2023 in Ellicott City, MD

'Lewis Corbett'
Flowers rose pink outside and blush pink inside.

subsp 'macranthus'
Huge flowers white tinted rose purple outside are up to 5 inches across.

'Maximus'
Reaching up to 2 feet with huge white flowers up to 5 inches across.
Hardy north to zone 3.

'Potters Wheel'
Very dark green foliage. The white flowers with a green eye are up to 5 inches across.

'Trotters Form'
Very long lasting pure white flowers.

'Wilder'
A heat resistant strain good for the south where the species is not.

Helleborus x nigercors
The hybrids of Helleborus argutifolius & H. niger.

'Green Corsican'
Very vigorous, clumping perennial, reaching up to 10 x 23 inches in 1 year and an eventual maximum size of 3 x 3.2 ( rarely over 2 ) feet. It is the hybrid of Helleborus argutifolius & H. niger.
The attractive, large, toothed foliage is bright green. The leaves are composed of 3 to 5 leaflets, up to 5.5 x 2.8 inches in size.
It is very prolific blooming with up to 30 flowers at a time.
The white ( fading to green ) flowers, up to 2 inches across, open late winter into early spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 8.

* photos taken on Apr 4 2011 in Columbia, MD




'Honeyhill Joy'
Forms a vigorous clump up to 2 x 3 feet.
The toothed foliage is very glossy, deep blue-green. The leaves, up to 9 x 12 inches in size, are composed of leaflets, up to 7 x 2.5 inches in size.
The large, white ( creamy-yellow centered ) flowers, up to 2 inches wide, appear over a 2 month period from late winter into early spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

* photo taken on June 1 2023 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on July 28 2023 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on Mar 28 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on Apr 9 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Apr 16 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on May 30 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

Helleborus orientalis ( Lenton Rose )
Native to the Balkans, Greece to the southern Caucasus in western Asia; this Helleboris can form a moderate to rapid growing clump up to 3 x 4.5 feet in size with great age. The Lenton Rose can live up to 50 years or more. The leaves can be up to 15 x 18 inches in size and include up to 9 leaflets ( each up to 10 x 4 inches in size ). The foliage is bright green at first, turning to glossy deep green. Evergreen in most winters.
The flowers up to 3 inches across are plum colored from Febuary to May.
Fertilize in spring as new leaves are emerging will result in rapid growth of clump.
Grows well in acidic or alkaline well drained, light, moist soils. Hardy zones 3 to 8 and grows in sun to partial shade ( full shade also under deciduous trees ). It is surprisingly tolerant of harsh climates, surviving as far north as Calgary on the northern Great Plains if grown on a protected site.
Cut off the old leaves in late winter if they become dried or shriveled.

* photo taken on Apr 6 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 23 2011 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD






* photos taken on March 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum





* photos taken in installs in Columbia, MD



* photos taken in Wilkes-Barre, PA on April 2010

* photos taken on April 2010 in Columbia, MD















* photos taken on May 5 2010 in Columbia, MD



* photo taken on Mar 16 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on April 27 2012 in Columbia, MD

'Brandywine'
Forms an evergreen clump up to 1.5 x 2 feet with handsome evergreen foliage.
Flowers range from single to double and are white, yellow, pink, red to dark purple in early spring.

* photos taken on Jun 2 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 23 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 2 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 1 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 20 2018 in Columbia, MD

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* photo taken on Mar 5 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 23 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 7 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Citron'
Flowers rose-pink inside and yellow outside.

'Dawn'
Shiny pale pink flowers eventually turning coppery red.

'Heartsease'
Maroon-red colored flowers.

* photos taken on Mar 16 2012 in Columbia, MD



'Ice N' Roses' Series
The hybrids between Helleborus x ericsmithii and a Helleborus orientalis. These hybrids are very sturdy and vigorous, forming a vigorous clump up to 1.5 x 2.3 feet in 2 years, eventually up to 2 x 2.7 feet.
The leaves, up to 12 x 13 inches in size, are composed of oobovate leaflets are up to 8.5 x 3.7 inches in size. The leathery foliage is very glossy deep green.
The showy flowers, up to 3.2 inches wide, face up and outward. The flowers persist into mid-spring. In the series is 'Bennota' ( intense deep rosy-pink flowers beginning during mid-winter ); 'Bianco' ( pure white flowers beginning during mid-winter ); 'Early Red' ( deep red flowers beginning during late autumm ); 'Early Rose' ( deep rosy-pink flowers beginning late autumn ); 'Frosted Rose' ( white flowers with a thin deep pink edge, beginning mid-winter ). 'Nightingale' ( deep purple flowers beginning late winter lasting into mid-spring ); 'Red' ( all winter into early spring ); 'Rosetta' ( pale pink flowes beginning during mid-winter ).
Hardy zones 5 to 8

* photos taken on May 11 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 2 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 28 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 7 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 9 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 12 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Lady Series'
Also called Helleborus orientalis 'Winter Joy Bouquet'. A group of hybrids reaching up to 2 x 4.8 feet in size with larger more brilliant colored flowers borne late winter into early spring.
The luxuriant foliage is glossy deep green. The leaves are composed of leaflets up to 9 x 3 inches in size. They are named by color and these cultivars include: 'Blue Lady',
'Pink Lady', 'Red Lady', 'White Lady', 'White Lady Spotted', 'Yellow Lady'.
The cultivars 'White Lady', 'Red Lady' & 'Blue Lady' generally breeds true from seed.

* photos taken on Mar 11 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 23 2020 in Columbia, MD

'Blue Lady'

* photos taken on Mar 11 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 7 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Jan 28 2020 in Columbia, MD

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* photos taken on May 11 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 14 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 30 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 8 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Pink Lady'

* photos taken on May 18 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 14 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 1 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 9 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 17 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 27 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 1 2020 in Columbia, MD

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* photo taken on Mar 14 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 5 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 14 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 21 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 28 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 14 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 11 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Pink Spotted Lady'

* photos taken on Mar 20 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 21 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 14 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 22 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 13 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 22 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 14 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 8 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Red Lady'

* photo taken on May 8 2010 @ McCrillis Gardens, Bethesda, MD

* photo taken on July 15 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 18 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 17 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 1 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 20 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 20 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 1 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 18 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 26 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 22 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 27 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 1 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 16 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 23 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 4 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 11 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 22 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 5 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 14 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 1 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 28 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 14 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 30 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 11 2024 in Columbia, MD

'White Lady'

* photo taken on Mar 23 2011 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on Apr 10 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 9 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 1 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 1 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 15 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 27 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 1 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 20 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 16 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 20 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 18 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 18 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 21 2020 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on Feb 26 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 10 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 21 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 23 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 9 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 15 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 5 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 14 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 26 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 16 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 21 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 24 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 14 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 26 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 14 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 16 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 20 2024 in Columbia, MD

'White Spotted Lady'

* photos taken on Apr 10 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 20 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 20 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 14 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 10 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 20 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 4 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 20 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 22 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Feb 19 2020 in Howard Co., MD

* photo taken on Mar 21 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 23 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 5 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Feb 23 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 14 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Yellow Lady'

* photo taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photo taken on Mar 14 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 2 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 7 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Lydbrook Strain'
* photos taken on Mar 23 2011 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD





'Onyx Odessy'
Forms a clump up to 2 x 2 feet in size, bearing very double, deep purple to purplish-black flowers up to 3 inches wide. It originated as part of the 'Winter Jewels' series of Helleborus.
The glossy deep green foliage is often purplish-black at first.


* photos taken on Apr 18 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 15 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 17 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 21 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 9 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 16 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 5 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 21 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 31 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 8 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Picadilly'

* photo taken on Aug 5 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

'Parrot'
Yellow flower hanging downward.

'Queen of the Night'
Nodding deep purple flower.

'Royal Heritage Hybrids'
Forming sturdy long lived evergreen clumps to 2 x 3 feet. They produce flowers up to 2 inches across over an incredibly long bloom period up to 5 months long from winter through spring. Comes in color forms such as 'Royal Heritage Purple', 'Royal Heritage White'

* photos taken on Mar 23 2011 in Wheaton, MD






* photos taken on Aug 23 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 6 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 1 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 18 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on Apr 5 2017 in Catonsville, MD

* photos taken after deadheading old flowerstalks

* photo taken on Jul 9 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 21 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 7 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 20 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 20 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 7 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 26 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 3 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 27 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 22 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 22 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 14 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 22 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 24 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Snow Queen'
Fully double white flowers that are green flushed at the base.

'Sorcerer'
Very rare with black-purple flowers; also a blue-black form.

'Wedding Party'
A series of very sturdy, vigorous, colorful, abundant blooming hybrids originating from Walters Gardens in Michigan. They typically reach up to 2 x 2 feet in size. They bloom for over 2 months during winter and spring. The foliage is deep green.
'Blushing Bridesmaid'
Abundant, huge ( up to 3.5 inches wide ) double white flowers with rose-pink edge and veins.

* photos taken on June 1 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 9 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 19 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 24 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 20 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 7 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 18 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 25 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Jan 5 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 22 2024 in Columbia, MD

'True Love'
Abundant, huge 3.5" wide double deep red flowers.

* photos taken on Mar 20 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 29 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 4 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 7 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 18 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 25 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Jan 5 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 9 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on Apr 22 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 10 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Wedding Bells'
Double white flowers.

* photos taken on Mar 6 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 7 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Winter Jewels'
An excellent series of very sturdy, vigorous, colorful, abundant blooming hybrids originating from renound plant hybridizer Marietta O'Byrne. They typically reach up to 2 x 4.2 ( rarely over 1.5 x 2.5 ) feet in size. They bloom for over 3 months during winter and spring, with huge flowers up to 4 inches across. The foliage is deep green. The leaves are up to 16" wide and are composed of leaflets up to 11 x 4 inches in size.

'Apricot Blush'
Abundant, huge ( up to 4 inches wide ) orangish-yellow flowers with rose-pink edge and veins.

'Blue Diamond'
Grayish-blue, single flowers.
The early spring foliage is glaucous-purple, before maturing to deep green.

'Cherry Blossom'
Huge 3" wide flowers that are pinkish-white with a deep red center.

* photo taken on Oct 27 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 13 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Cotton Candy'
Very douoble. light pink flowers.

'Fire & ice'
Pure white, double flowers that are edged in deep pinkish-red.

'Golden Lotus'
Huge, double, intense yellow flowers, up to 3.5 inches wide.

* photos taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* photos taken on Mar 20 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 30 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 8 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 18 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Golden Sunrise'
Intense yellow, single flowers.

'Jade Tiger'
Forms a clump up to 14 x 25 inches.
Double bright green flowers with petels having a narrow deep red border.

* photos taken on Mar 16 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 14 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 18 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 3 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 14 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 15 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Painted Doubles'
* photos taken on Mar 17 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 7 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 3 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 13 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 20 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 2 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 12 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 2 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 7 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Red Sapphire'
Deep red, single flowers with white stamens.

'Ruby Wine'
Deep red, cupped, single flowers.

'Sparkling Diamond'
Pure white, double flowers.


'White Pearl'
White, single flowers with a deep red center.

'Winter Thrillers'
An excellent series of very sturdy, vigorous, colorful, abundant blooming hybrids originating from Great Garden Plants in Michigan. They typically reach up to 20 x 24 inches in size. They bloom for over 3 months during winter and spring, with huge flowers up to 3 inches across.
'Ballerina Ruffles'
Has large nodding pink flowers with deep purple speckles.
* photos taken on Apr 11 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 17 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 14 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 22 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 16 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 20 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 5 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 21 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 28 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 11 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 8 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Mango Magic'
Vigorous with very abundant, cupped orange flowers with red edges.
'Pink Fizz'
Has pinkish-white flowers with red veins radiating out from a red center.
'Pink Parachutes'
The most popular of this series with pink ( often dotted maroon ) flowers that are even larger, up to 4 inches across borne atop sturdy thick stems. It forms a vigorous, large clump, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 4 feet.
* photo taken on July 25 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 18 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 8 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 8 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 25 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 16 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 27 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 13 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 8 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 2 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 20 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 17 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 1 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 30 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 14 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 11 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Sunshine Ruffles'
Glossy deep green leaves and strong stems bearing up to 50 bright yellow, ruffled flowers ( up to 3" across ) per plant.
Hardy zones 4 to 8.
For more - copy and paste this direct link to Great Garden Plants.

Helleborus odorus ( Fragrant Helleborus )
A perennial, reaching up to 1.6 foot, that is native to Hungary as well as mountains of northern Bulgaria and Yugoslavia.
The foliage is coppery-red at first, turning to bright green above, downy silvery-white beneath. The leaves, up to 16 inches wide, are divided into 5 broad leaflets.
The mildly fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers, up to 2.5 inches wide, appear during late winter into early spring.
Hardy zones 6 to 8 in partial shade on fertile, alkaline well drained soil. It can tolerate full sun as long as it doesn't dry out.

* photo taken during Mar 2018 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

Helleborus 'Penny's Pink'
A vigorous, bushy, clumping, evergreen perennial, reaching up to 14 x 10 inches in 1 year, eventually reaching a maximum clump size of 2 x 3.6 feet.
The leathery foliage is bronze-green at first with pink veining, later turning to blue-green with bright silvery-green veining. The large leaves, up to 1 foot wide, are composed of leaflets up to 8 x 4 inches in size.
The showy deep pink flowers, up to 2.5 inches wide, are borne over a long season lasting a few months from late winter into mid-spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 ( possibly 4 on very protected sites ).

* photos taken on July 9 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 24 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Jan 11 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 6 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 26 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 12 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 25 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 19 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 16 2023 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on May 14 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 9 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 7 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 7 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 4 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

Helleborus 'Pippa's Purple'
Among the Frostkiss series, this vigorous helleborus, reaches up to 1.8 x 2 feet.
The deep green foliage is variegated with bold pale grayish-green veining.
The pink flowers are upright. They appear on deep purple stems from late winter to mid-spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in partial shade, it can tolerate full sun in cool climates if the roots are shaded.

* photos taken on Apr 14 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 16 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 7 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 4 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

Helleborus purpurescens
A deciduous, perennial, forming a compact clump up to 2 x 2.5 feet in size, that is native to east Europe ( from southeastern Poland to western Ukraine; south to Czechoslovakia to Romania ).
The very attractive, palmate leaves are composed of deeply-divided leaflets. The foliage is bright green at first, turning to glossy deep green above, hairy beneath.
The reddish-purple ( greenish inside ), cup-shaped flowers, up to 3 inches across, are borne early to mid spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in partial shade preferring humus-rich soil.

Helleboris sternii
The vigorous hybrids between Helleboris argutifolius & H. lividus
The foliage is grayish green with greenish-white veins, and have margins that are either spined, toothed or smooth.
The bright green flowers are borne on large heads during late winter, peprsisting well into spring.
Hardy zones 6 +, it grows well in alkaline soil and prefers some sun and even tolerate full sun.

'Blackthorn.
Reaching only up to 2 feet in size.
The foliage is marbled with silver gray
Flowers are borne on purple stems and are green flushed pink.

'Broughton Beauty'
Vigorous growing up to 4 feet in size with glossy green leaves up to 9 inches.
Foliage is dark gray-green with conspicuous marbling. The flowers on purplish-pink stems are green flushed pink.
Hardy north to zone 5

Helleboris 'Sunmarble'
Reaching up to 2 x 4 feet with incredible white markings on the huge, leathery, evergreen foliage. The huge flowers are white, up to 5 inches across and last for months from Febuary to May.
Hardy north to zone 6 Helleborus x sahinii
Hybrids betweeen Helleborus foetidus & Helleborus niger.

'Winterbells'
Forms a clump up to 1.3 x 2 feet in 4 years, eventually slightly wider.
The foliage is deep green.
The creamy-pink ( pale green inside ) flowers appear during late winter into early spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 8

* photo taken on Sep 29 2023 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Apr 15 2022 in Columbia, MD

Helleboris thibetianus ( Tibetan Helleborus )
A perennial, reaching up to 20 x 15 inches in size, that is native to mountains in s of Gansu, Shaanxi and Sichuan Provinces in China.
The foliage dies down during summer, re-emerging during autumn. The entire leaf is up to 7.5 x 9.5 inches and is divided up into compound leaflets.
The pale pink to pink flowers, up to 2.5 inches across, are borne during early spring.
Hardy zones 5a to 8 ( 4 on protected sites ) in partial shade on moist, fertile, well drained soil. It does not enjoy excessively hot summers or extended drought. Hard late freezes may ruin the blooms.

* photo taken on March 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum



Helleborus viridis ( Green Hellebore )
A graceful, deciduous clumping perennial, reaching up to 2 x 2 feet, that is native to Europe from northern England to Germany and south.
The leaves, up to 12 inches across, are composed of 7 to 11 sharply-toothed ( often lobed ), narrow oblong leaflets, up to 8 inches in length. The foliage is luxuriant bright green.
The bright yellow-green ( with purple marking ), nodding flowers, up to 2.3 inches across, are borne during early spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, it is easy to grow and likes limey soils. Clay tolerant.