What month do hellebores flower?
Hellebores will flower for a couple of months, usually from late February right through until late April. They emerge when winter still has hold over most of our garden plants, and carry on delighting us daily until spring is in full flow and a vast array of spring and summer flowering perennials take over. Hellebores typically enjoy a lifespan of 5-10 years or even longer, depending on the species and the care they receive. With the right conditions, these resilient plants can thrive well beyond a decade.One of the many reasons gardeners love hellebores is their relatively low-maintenance care. For varieties like Helleborus niger and Helleborus x hybridus, you can remove any desiccated or burned leaves in late winter as the buds begin to emerge.Like other members of the Ranunculaceae, hellebores have alkaloids in the leaves and seeds that can cause mild dermatitis in sensitive individuals, so gardeners should wear gloves when exposure might occur. These same alkaloids make the leaves undesirable to deer and rabbits, but slugs may eat their flowers.These plants prefer dappled shade or partial shade, although some varieties can tolerate more sun. Avoid planting them in full sun, as it can scorch their delicate blooms and foliage. Ideally, hellebores should be planted in well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
What are the benefits of growing hellebores?
Great Addition To Cut Flower & Pollinator Gardens Hellebores don’t just look good, they do good! Early-season pollinators like bumblebees and hoverflies appreciate the nectar-filled blooms while other resources remain scarce, fueling them as they continue through the spring. I tend to remove most of the leaves in January to display the flowers and make way for the new leaf growth, which will follow the flowers. The images below are of the Hellebores I have cut back. In January, the foliage can be in a poor state with evidence of leaf spot.I firmly believe that one of the most useful things you can do is to cut off last year’s foliage at the end of the season as this prevents hellebore leaf spot disease being carried through the winter on the leaves and infecting the flowers.Hellebores are hungry plants! Use compost or well rooted manure when planting and as a mulch when the plants are established. The main growing periods are during the spring and autumn so mulching then is very beneficial. A general purpose fertiliser can also be applied in late winter.
Do hellebores need fertilizer?
Hellebores seldom need fertilizer. If desired, an organic fertilizer or compost can be applied. Hellebores are drought tolerant once established but will require water during long dry periods. Spread a two-inch layer of mulch around the plants. Hellebores have few diseases and insect pests. Common insect pests include aphids, slugs, and snails. The whitish-green hellebore aphid may be found on new growth and flowers. Aphid populations cluster on the tops or undersides of leaves, stems, or flowers.