Helleborus foetidus

Description

Common Name: Winter rose, stinking hellebore

Hellebore are members of the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. They are native to the mountainous regions of Central and southern Europe and Asia Minor. Hellebore are evergreen perennials. There flowers are a welcome site in late winter and early spring not only because they are beautiful, but they are also a valuable source of nectar for bees and other insects.

H. foetidus has strong upright stems to 80 cm and glossy dark green leaves. The 5 petal like sepals are yellowish green drooping and cup shaped often with a purple edge. Despite it’s common name plants are not smelly unless crushed. Plants grow best with dappled shade in rich fertile but well drained soils. Plants will seed readily.

• 80 cm
• Light shade
• Hardy
• 9 cm pot