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Helleborus viridis
Green Hellebore
Plant Type:
SHADE PERENNIALSHelleborus viridis - When you think of this uncommonly offered hellebore: think GREEN! And this corresponds to its common name, Green Hellebore. Deep leathery green leaves are are the foil for the verdant bowl-shaped flowers in late winter to early spring. Each saturated bright green flower contains a central boss of greenish ivory to creamy yellow-green sexual parts. Flowers open wider and flatter as they mature to light green. Green, green, green – get the picture! Leathery leaves are serrated and arranged in an almost peltate fashion in 7 to 13 segments cut right to the leaf stem. Helleborus viridis would be fantastic with Dog-tooth Violets, delicate Rue Anemones and liver-spotted Trillium, Disporum sessile 'Variegatum' or, indeed, any of the more well-behaved and distinguished woodland denizens. It's handsome, worthy and it'll have your gardening friends GREEN with envy. Set in dappled to open shade and plant in fertile ground. Said to be hardy to USDA zone 6 it has been perfectly suited to 5b here at Quackin' Grass since 1999. From Europe, there are apparently populations also to be found in some eastern states. Is it indigenous or is naturalized? We don't know! For northern customers please resist the temptation and hold off until our spring shipping window; autumn planting of hellebores is ill-advised in colder zones. Established potted helleborie from division.
Characteristics and Attributes for Helleborus viridis
Season of Interest (Flowering)
- Spring
Season of Interest (Foliage)
- Spring / Summer / Autumn
Nature Attraction
- Deer Resistant
Light
- Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
- Dappled Shade
- Shade
Attributes
- Edging
- Rock Garden
- Specimen
- Woodland
Growth Rate in the Garden
- Slow
Soil
- Fertile
Origins
- Europe
Propagated By
- Division
Genus Overview: Helleborus
Hellebores are indispensible in the woodland garden. They are among the earliest, herbaceous plants with the largest, showiest flowers to brave late winter/early spring cold temperatures and shine, shine, shine! Flowers often age to chartreuse (certainly in H. x hybridus) extending the bloom effect. The foliage for most of the following perennials lasts for nearly 3 seasons – from spring until the following winter solstice in northeastern Connecticut. It is said that lime in the planting hole is helpful. We have never done so and they perform wonderfully for us. Open shade, dappled conditions, morning sun/afternoon shade is best. Plant them in any good woodland soil with organic matter. All of the following are offered as pot grown by good old-fashioned perennial division. In the north spring planting is strongly recommended.