Helleborus torquatus
Hellebore, Balkan hellebore
Also known as Helleborus intermedius, Helleborus serbicus
- Height × spread
- 0.4m × 0.4m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Winter, Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A vary variable plant in both the form of its leaves and the colour of its flowers, which can be green or purple or reddish purple. Although wild flowers are generally single, some double forms have been found in wild populations. The flowers, borne in spring, are small and rather delicate, a broad bell shape, and dangle and move from stems that are bent over with their weight. The leaves are extremely attractive with whorls of foliage from a central stem, and the green arching leaves can bear some resemblance to the arching leaves of the parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans) when seen in a clump. This is found growing over a large area of Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia with many differences in individual plant populations.
- Flower colour
- Green, Pink, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, elderflower
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.4m
- Spread
- 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Winter
- Flowers in
- Winter, Spring
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten; skin irritant
AutumnNow
Autumn - late · Outdoors
Apply mulch
Spread organic material around the plant being careful not to bury its crown, or to put the mulch above the point at which the plant has been grafted in the case of trees.
A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Feed with rotted manure
Give the plant a good feed with well rotted manure. Be careful not to bury the plant base, especially where it may have been grafted. Spread the manure around the root area, but not over its crown.
Rotted manure is often used for plants that are termed 'hungry feeders'. It provides them with a nutrient boost which should benefit flower production.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Found in
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Corsican hellebore
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Christmas rose, Black hellebore, Snow rose, Winter rose
Helleborus niger
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