False Hellebore

Veratrum
A genus of coarse perennials arising from thick rootstocks that are native to temperate regions around the Northern Hemisphere.
They prefer full sun to partial shade on moist soils.
All parts of plant are poisonous. They are deer and rabbit resistant but can be prone to slugs. Propagation is from ripened seed or division done during autumn or early spring.

* photo taken by J.E. Schwartz @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Veratrum album ( European White Hellebore )
A rhizomatous, upright perennial, reaching up to 6.5 x 5 + feet, that is native from Europe through northern Asia to far eastern Russia and Japan. It is usually found in moist mountain forests in the wild.
The broad-elliptical leaves are up to 12 x 6 inches in size. The very attractive foliage is glossy bright green.
The greenish-white flowers, up to 1 inch wide, are borne on panicles, up to 2 feet in length, during early to mid-summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 6 in full sun to partial shade on moist, deep, fertile, well drained soil.

* historic archive photo

Veratrum californicum ( California False Hellebore )
A perennial, reaching up to 6 x 5 + feet in height, that is native to western North America ( Washington State to western Montana; south to southern California to central New Mexico ).
The cupped leaves, up to 16 x 8 inches in size, are glossy green. The occur along the entire length of the stems up to the flowerhead.
The greenish-white flowers are borne on large heads.
Hardy zones 5 to 8. Propagation is from seed or division.

* photos taken by Jean Pawek @ CalPhotos

* photo taken by Paul Fair @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* photo taken by C.A. Kutzleb @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* historic archive photo

Veratrum nigrum ( Black False Hellebore )
A large, rhizomatous perennial, reaching up to 4 + feet, that is a widespread native to temperate Eurasia.
The very attractive broad-elliptical leaves are luxuriant mid-green.
The small, very dark brown flowers, up to 0.3 inches wide, are borne on panicles up to 3 feet in length.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on moist, deep, fertile, well drained soil, it is tolerant of deep shade.

* historic archive photo

Veratrum viride ( Green False Hellebore )
A perennial, reaching up to 6.5 x 2 feet. It eventually clumps out like Hostas. It is native to moist woodlands and swamps in western North America ( from Bethel, Alaska to Fairbanks, Alaska to western Northwest Territories; south to northern California to Wyoming ) as well as northeastern North America ( from northeast Ohio to Quebec & Labrador; south to the Smoky Mountains to Maryland & Delaware ).
The ovate leaves, up to 13 x 6 inches in size, are strongly ribbed. The luxuriant bright to mid green foliage turns to deep yellow during autumn.
The abundant, yellowish-green flowers, up to 1 inch wide, are borne on panicles up to 24 inches long, during early to mid summer.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in partial shade on a site protected from wind. It does not enjoy extreme heat or hot humid summers.
Phamacology: All parts of this plant are poisonous.

* photos taken on Apr 21 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken by Jean Pawek @ CalPhotos

* historical archive photo