General Culture:

Easily grown in organically rich, humusy, alkaline, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers light to moderate shade. Locate plants in areas protected from cold winter winds. May self-seed once established in the garden. May not be reliably winter hardy throughout USDA Zone 5. Cut back flowering stems after bloom to promote new foliage growth. Evergreen plant that takes two years to bloom when grown from seed.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

This hellebore cultivar is a somewhat bushy, clump-forming perennial which typically grows to 20" tall and is most noted for its dark, deeply-cut, blackish-green foliage and its late winter flowers. Foliage is evergreen, but may become scorched and tattered in extremely harsh winters, particularly if not insulated by snow cover. Leaves are deeply lobed and divided into 7-10, narrow, lance-shaped to elliptic, usually-toothed segments. Clusters (cymes) of drooping, bell-shaped, greenish white flowers (to 1" diameter) subtended by pale green bracts bloom at the tips of leafy stems from late winter to mid spring (February to late April in St. Louis). Flowers and bruised foliage are unpleasantly aromatic (foeditus meaning fetid), thus giving rise to a number of somewhat hyperbolic common names for the species including stinking hellebore, stinkwort and dungwort. The actual aroma is perhaps more accurately characterized as unpleasant or unusual than as fetid, however. Leaf shape gives rise to an additional common name of bear's foot. Leaves, stems and roots are poisonous.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Crown rot and leaf spot are occasional problems.

Uses:

Flowers that bloom in February in St. Louis are true harbingers of spring. Locate plants near a kitchen window, patio or walkway so that the early bloom may be enjoyed to the fullest. Group in shady locations under trees, large shrubs or in woodland gardens. May also be incorporated into a naturalized area where the clumps will slowly spread through self-seeding. Mass for an attractive year round ground cover.

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