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Family description Helleborus.

Helleborus are mostly deciduous although there are some evergreen varieties. Grows best in damp but not waterlogged humus rich soil with dappled shade. Most varieties grow less than 50cm height, and the clump gradually gets bigger over the years, but can be disappointing in the first few years. They are well worth persevering with though as the flowers are long-lasting and survive the bad weather often encountered at this time. My biggest grumble with them is their bad habit of hanging their heads down in shame, making it difficult to appreciate their full beauty. Blooms may be cut for display in the house where they will last well in water, bringing a little spring cheer indoors during inclement weather.

General care.

If you have planted your hellebore in a suitable location that does not suffer from drought, there is not much they will require from you. for the sake of appearances, remove any dead or dieing leaves to keep the area tidy. A winter mulch of manure or compost will cheer them up. Helleborus resents disturbance, so avoid too much cultivation around the crown of the plant.

Notes on Toxicity or Culinary usage.

No toxic, culinary or medicinal properties known.

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Species description. Helleborus argutifolius.

H. argutifolius is the tallest species that can remain evergreen in warmer parts of the country. The leathery leaves are composed of three leaflets with serrated margins, all of which grow from the main stem or stems. The stems are topped by large panicles of bloom in late winter or early spring and are carried above the leaves. Flowers are a very pale green and can be 50mm dia on healthy plants.

Display characteristics for Helleborus argutifolius.

• Plant type: Dicotyledon. Evergreen
• Habit: Erect
• Type: Perennial.
• Height: 1.50 mtr.
• Spread: 0.80 mtr.
• Attractive to wildlife:
• Preferred soil type: Clay. Loam. Silt.
• Soil moisture requirement: Medium
• Soil ph: Undefined
• Suitable position: Border.
• Light requirements: Full sun. Part sun.
• Summer water requirements: Medium
• Winter water requirements: None
• Minimum temperature: -10 °c
• Safe Minimum temperature: -3 °c
• Safe Maximum temperature: 35 °c
• Maximum temperature: 0 °c
• Wind tolerance: None
• Salt tolerance: None
• Drought tolerance: Low
• Waterlogging tolerance: Medium
• Toxicity-Edibility: Moderate illness possible
• Bloom attributes: Flower arrangement. Showy display.
• Foliage attributes: Flower arrangement.
• Berry attributes: Undefined
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