Helleborus niger

Helleborus niger flower flushed with pink (09/02/2011, London)

Position: Partial shade but will tolerate full sun.

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Late winter to early spring.

Eventual Height: 30cm

Eventual Spread: 30cm

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Ranunculaceae

Helleborus niger is an evergreen, clump forming perennial. Its dark green leaves are leathery, pedate and serrated towards the tips. From early winter to early spring the erect purple tinged stems bear saucer like flowers. The flowers are usually white but are sometimes flushed very strongly with pink and are greenish white at the base of the petals.

Helleborus niger (09/02/2011, London)

Helleborus niger, commonly known as the Christmas Rose or the Black Hellebore, is native to the  mountainous regions of north Italy. Austria and Croatia. It is associated with many myths, mostly based on its mild toxicity. It was used to drive out evil spirits in pagan rituals where the roots were powdered and inhaled to stimulate sneezing, the sneezing was caused by the presence of protoanemonin in the roots of the plant which can cause burning of the eyes, mouth and throat, oral ulceration, gastroenteritis and hematemesis. It is also used in Christian mythologies where the plant was said to spring forth from the tears of a shepherd who did not have a gift for the Christ child.

The etymological root of the binomial name  Helleborus is from the classical name for this plant. Niger is from the Latin meaning ‘black, in reference to the dangerous qualities of the root.

Helleborus niger flower (09/02/2011, London)

Helleborus niger can be specified by the landscape architect in a naturalistic woodland setting with dappled shade. It will thrive in this location and will provide attractive winter flowers and as an effective evergreen ground cover.

Ecological, Helleborus niger is an excellent source of winter nectar for insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given Helleborus niger their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Helleborus niger requires little maintenance. If the clumps appear overcrowded they should be divided in spring. Last years dead leaves can be removed from the plant in spring to give a tidy specimen.