Hellebore

Family. Ranunculaceae.

Where does it grow? Southern Europe, Asia. 

Description. Hellebore is a small genus, comprising only 20 species of plants. Most are evergreen herbaceous perennials, but in very severe winters the upper above-ground part dies off, and growth resumes in the spring from the root.

The leaves are dark green, compound - consist of 7-9 oblong-lanceolate segments arranged in a circle. The leaf blades have rare but clearly defined teeth along the edge.

In the spring, often even before the leaves appear, tall leafless peduncles with drooping, large flowers are formed - up to 10 cm in diameter.

The buds are spectacular, fragrant, in shades of white, pink, purple and burgundy. Each peduncle can carry up to 4-6 flowers.

Height. 30 – 45 cm. The final dimensions will depend on growing conditions and varietal characteristics. 

When does bloom? 

Flowers appear equally - already in April, the flowering period is long - 2 - 2.5 months. In many regions, representatives of the genus are classified as primroses. Indoors, bushes can bloom at any desired time, even in winter - depending on the conditions.

Medicinal properties

In folk medicine, Caucasian hellebore is used.

This medicinal plant cannot be used without control, it is poisonous and if the dosage is exceeded or used for other purposes, it can cause serious poisoning.

The flower has many useful properties, including the ability to regulate cardiac activity, cleanse the body of toxins, remove excess bile, have a diuretic and mild laxative effect, so the herb is often used for weight loss. Raw materials are used to normalize blood sugar and regulate cholesterol levels, it is believed that it has an expectorant effect and is used for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, helps fight malignant tumors, has the ability to increase immunity, dull the feeling of hunger and suppress appetite.

In order for dry shoots and leaves to retain the maximum amount of nutrients, they must be properly collected and processed.
The collection of green mass is carried out immediately before flowering.

In folk medicine, the root system is used, the maximum amount of useful substances in which accumulates in the fall, when the bushes have completely finished blooming, and the fruits have ripened and fallen.

Since the roots of the hellebore contain many toxic substances that easily evaporate during work and penetrate the body through breathing, before contact with the plants, you should protect yourself with a respirator.

The bushes are dug up in the fall and the entire above-ground part is cut off. The root system is thoroughly washed from the soil with running water and old and rotten areas are cut off. Then the roots are laid out on sheets of paper or pieces of fabric and placed in a dry, warm and ventilated room to dry. When drying, the raw materials should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

Completely dried rhizomes are stored in a dry, cool place for 2-3 years in paper or canvas bags.

Planting and care in open ground

A shaded place is suitable for hellebore, it is best to plant the flower in the trunk circles of shrubs and trees - in early spring the area will be in a lacy shade, since the leaves on the trees have not yet blossomed.

Since the flower prefers soil with a neutral pH reaction, wood ash, crushed chalk or dolomite flour are first mixed into it.

In soil poor in nutrients, it is worth adding a little organic matter - humus or well-rotted manure. If the soil is too dense and does not allow moisture to pass through well, then river sand is added to it in sufficient quantities.

How and when to plant

Bushes can be planted in open ground twice a year - in April and September. First, the area is dug up and weeded.

Planting holes are prepared in such a way that several plants can be placed in a small area at once - hellebore looks better in group plantings. The width and depth of the planting holes should be approximately 1.5 - 2 times larger than the root ball and can be about 30 cm. A nutrient layer of humus or cow and horse manure is placed on the bottom, its height can reach 5 - 7 cm.

The bushes are placed in the holes and sprinkled with earth, lightly tamping it. After planting, a small layer of mulch consisting of sawdust, straw or mown grass is placed at the base of the plants. In the autumn months, fallen leaves can be mulched.

The plantings are watered abundantly with water, and the soil is kept evenly moist for the first 3-4 weeks. If the soil dries out, the bushes will not take root.

Caring

Hellebore is quite unpretentious - it is watered when the weather is quite dry for a long time. After watering, the soil is loosened and weeds are removed.

Two or three times per season, it is fed with mineral fertilizers for flowering species with a high content of potassium and phosphorus, and bone meal is also added.

In early spring, to prevent the spread of fungal diseases, last year's leaves are removed.

Peduncles with wilting buds are cut with a sharp knife almost at the very base - this will not only help maintain a neat and attractive appearance, but also prevent unwanted self-seeding.

Preparing for winter

In a harsh climate, representatives of the genus tolerate winter well and do not need additional shelter. In regions with little snow and severe frosts, plants should be prepared for the cold period in advance.

In mid-autumn, before the first night frosts, the bushes are hilled, sprinkling the roots with a layer of earth and covering them with a small layer of humus on top - it will help to retain heat. Pine or spruce branches or fallen dry leaves are thrown on top.

In the spring, the shelter must be removed as soon as the snow begins to melt.

Reproduction, growing from seeds 

Hellebore can be propagated in several ways - by division or seeds. Some species self-seed when grown in the garden.

The seeds are sown in open ground in the summer - in late June - July, immediately after ripening and harvesting. You can use seeds collected independently.

To prevent seeds from falling out of cracked and fully opened seed pods, they are tied with non-woven material in advance.

The planting material is sorted and dried for several hours in an open place without direct sunlight. At this time, a small area for sowing is prepared - they are dug up, weeded and furrows are made. About 15 cm are left between the furrows.

The seeds are laid out at a distance of 3-4 cm, covered with a layer of earth about 1.5 cm thick and watered abundantly.

The first shoots will appear only in early spring. When 2-3 true leaves are formed on each bush, they are picked.

At the age of 3-4 years, hellebores are planted in a permanent place and only 3 years after planting do they expect the first buds to appear.

When growing at home, seeds are sown in the spring, in moist, nutritious soil. They are pre-stratified in the refrigerator for two to three weeks.

The container with seedlings must be covered with glass or a plastic cap to maintain uniform humidity. If the rules of agricultural technology are followed, seedling germination takes from two to twenty-five weeks, depending on the type and time of planting.

Division

Adult specimens aged 5 years or more can be divided into parts when replanting, this will rejuvenate the bushes. Division is usually carried out after the buds have faded - in the second half of summer.

The plants are dug up, the rhizomes are shaken off the remaining soil. The roots are inspected and old and rotten ends are removed by pruning, cutting them to healthy tissue.

The rhizomes are divided into parts with a garden knife or sterilized pruning shears. Make sure that each part has a well-developed root system and green mass.

The wound surface formed as a result of division is treated with charcoal powder or wood ash for drying and disinfection. Then the seedlings are planted in a permanent place.

Transplant 

Hellebore has many small roots that are easy to damage - replant it only if necessary, in the spring, before flowering or immediately after it, when the plant becomes cramped in the pot or the soil needs to be changed to fresh.

When grown in open ground, the flower can live without replanting for a long time - about 10 years. It is better not to move the bushes unless absolutely necessary - they do not like replanting.

Diseases and pests 

With proper care, plants rarely suffer from diseases and pests.

Sunburn appears on leaves in hot, dry and sunny summer weather.

Leaf spots, powdery mildew and rust sometimes occur.

Leaves may turn yellow if there is insufficient drainage.

Anthracnose.

Harmful insects include hop moth caterpillars, aphids, snails and slugs.

Growing and care at home

Representatives of the genus are unpretentious, but when growing it is necessary to follow certain agricultural technology. The flower can be kept in open ground during the warm season, but the hellebore prefers places protected from the wind. Remove old foliage and wilted flowers in a timely manner.

Soil

Prefers well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. 

Feeding 

At home, feed only during the growing season with liquid fertilizers at half concentration every 2 weeks.

Temperature

Prefers cool conditions at temperatures from 7 to 18° C. 

Lighting

Some direct sunlight may reach the shoots and leaves in the morning and evening hours, but not on a hot summer day. Some species are extremely shade-tolerant, but good lighting will often produce a strong, abundantly flowering plant.

Watering 

Hellebore should be watered regularly, especially during the first growing season, to develop a deep, extensive root system. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Reduce the frequency of watering after flowering. Avoid wet, poorly drained soils, especially in winter.

Spraying 

The bush tolerates fairly dry indoor air. Does not require spraying.

Purpose

A beautifully flowering, spectacular genus, the flower stalks are suitable for cutting. Bouquets will fill the room with a pleasant aroma. At present, hellebore can be considered not only a flowering plant, but also a decorative foliage plant, since variegated varieties have been bred. When grown in open ground, it will become a real decoration of any flower garden or flower bed.

Note

All parts of the plant are highly poisonous - keep it away from small children and pets. Wear protective gloves when handling hellebore, as contact with fresh juice can cause skin inflammation and blisters. This flower is an excellent honey plant.

Varieties:

Helleborus caucasicus

Very attractive flowering, perennial, herbaceous, low-growing plants ranging from 20 to 30 cm in height. In warm climates, the plants can remain evergreen. The leaves are compound, basal, on long, thin petioles, consisting of 5 - 9 oblong segments connected in a circle. The edges of the leaf segments are finely toothed, the surface of the leaf blades is dark green, glossy, the leaf veins are highlighted in a lighter shade. During the flowering period, tall, strong peduncles appear in the center of the leaf rosette, which bear at the tops large, cup-shaped, drooping flowers with greenish, yellow, cream or white petals. Flowers often have a darker center. 

Helleborus orientalis

Herbaceous plants with a height of 30 to 45 cm. The leaves are dark green, complex, consisting of segments connected in a circle - each leaf has from 7 to 9 oblong segments. The edges of the leaf blades have small teeth. Plants remain evergreen in warm climates. Each bush forms numerous, erect, strong flower stalks, on top of which there are attractive cup-shaped flowers with a diameter of 7 to 10 cm. Flower petals can be painted in white, cream, greenish, pink, purple and even almost black shades. 

Helleborus niger

A perennial herbaceous plant with a height of 20 to 60 cm. The leaves are dark green, complex, on long petioles. Each leaf may consist of 7 to 9 finely toothed, oblong segments. The peduncles are low, erect, reaching a height of 8 - 20 cm. The flowers are cup-shaped, with five wide petals and numerous golden-yellow stamens in the center. The most common plants are those with white flowers, but individual bushes may have pink, greenish, or cream flowers. 

Helleborus abchasicus

Compact herbaceous flowering plants, reaching a height of 30 - 45 cm. They have basal compound leaves on long petioles, consisting of 7 - 9 leafy, finely toothed segments of a dark green color. During the flowering period, the plants produce erect, strong flower stalks, each bearing from 1 to 4 drooping, pinkish or lilac flowers. 

Helleborus foetidus

Quite a tall species - bushes can reach 60 cm in height. It is an evergreen, perennial plant in warm climates with dark, compound leaves on long basal petioles. The leaf blades are glossy, very narrow, lanceolate, and sometimes have a bluish tint. When damaged, the leaves emit an unpleasant odor, which is why the plant got its name. The flowers are greenish-white, small, drooping, collected in inflorescences on the tops of erect, strong peduncles. 

Helleborus argutifolius

Tall, evergreen in warm climates, flowering plants from 45 to 60 cm in height. The leaves are compound - consist of 3 oblong, finely toothed, dark green, glossy segments. The segments may be slightly folded along the central vein. Peduncles are strong, vertical, each can bear 20 - 30 flowers at the top. The flowers are small, reaching 2.5 - 5 cm in diameter, cup-shaped, greenish, slightly drooping.