Hellebore flower is a perennial herb. It comes from the Mediterranean. There hellebore was originally used only as a medicinal raw material. In folk medicine around the world, it is used to treat skin diseases, epilepsy and even paralysis. This plant can be seen today in many gardens. It is very beautiful during the flowering period, but even after it retains its decorative effect due to the rich and unusual color of the leaves.
Hellebore description
The flower is appreciated by gardeners for their unpretentious care and good resistance to frost. Perhaps the name of the plant came from here. It is also called the rose of Christ and the hellebore (killing food). It is worth noting that hellebore is poisonous. Therefore, for treatment it is used only as an external agent.
This plant is evergreen, so it can decorate any corner. The plant is surprising in that it has no stems. Tough large leaves grow from long petioles. The flowers are also quite large, in diameter can reach fifteen centimeters. They appear directly on the snow, as soon as the plant gains strength to overcome the ice layer. Flowers can be of various colors - from pure white to dark crimson. There is plenty to choose from for your site. Here is a hellebore flower as described. The photo below shows how the plant looks.
The flower is very decorative, so breeders have bred dozens of species and hybrids. It is worth considering only the most interesting of them.
Some types of hellebore
Black hellebore. Under natural conditions, this species grows in southern and central Europe. Flowering occurs from December to February. Under Russian conditions, this process begins around April, when snow melts. The flowers are white, reaching eight centimeters. Larger specimens with pale pink buds that bloom in November are also found.
Caucasian hellebore. It is found only in the mountains of the Caucasus. This species has unusual foliage and beautiful flowers. It retains its decorative effect not only in summer but also in winter. Provided there was little snow.
Smelly hellebore. The name itself says that this species smells bad. But he boasts very beautiful, almost exotic leathery leaves. Also, this hellebore grows many flowers of an unusual pale green hue. The bush is compact, in height reaches no more than half a meter. Pay attention to the photo: the flower of the hellebore stinky on it is presented in all its glory.
East hellebore. Its flowering begins in mid-March-April. It looks like a very spectacular plant. Buds can be from pale pink to bright purple. There are varieties with a cap on the flowers.
Seat selection
Frostberry is completely undemanding to the composition of the soil. But it is still recommended to plant this plant in a nutritious, fairly loose, neutral or slightly alkaline soil. If the land on the site is characterized by high acidity, then liming must be carried out. Hellebore is a flower that grows well on deciduous humus. Therefore, it is better to plant it near shrubs or large trees.
For this plant, the stagnation of water in the earth is fatal. Therefore, hellebore cannot be planted in flooded areas or near groundwater. When planting in the soil, it is necessary to make a drainage layer of expanded clay, pebbles or pieces of red brick.
It is also worth noting that the plant loves partial shade. But in a sunny place it will grow well. In general, even a beginner will be able to master the care and planting of a hellebore flower.
Planting a plant
If you plan to plant hellebore in the open ground, then it is best to do this in April or already closer to the fall, in September.
Select a site and location based on the above recommendations. Dig the earth deep and level. Make landing pits. Their depth and diameter should be about 30 centimeters. The same distance should be between the dug holes.
Put compost at the bottom of the pits so that the seedling takes root more quickly and begins to grow actively. After that, lower the hellebore into the hole, holding it with one hand, and with the other, fill the ground. Tamp the soil around and water abundantly. Keep in mind that for three weeks the plant will often need a lot of water. As you can see, it’s not difficult to land and leave. The photo of hellebore flowers located above demonstrates how the seedlings can look.
The plant is well propagated by seeds and division. It is worth examining both methods in more detail.
Seed propagation
Hellebore seeds poorly retain their germination. Therefore, they must be used immediately after collection, and not stored. Sown in nutrient, very loose soil to a depth of about one or two centimeters. Sprouts will be visible somewhere in a month. But hellebore blooms only after three years.
When several real leaflets appear on the seedlings, they need to be peaked. A partial shade will be a great place (for example, under a sprawling tree). On a permanent flowerbed, hellebore can be transplanted in two to three years. This is best done in September.
Division propagation
Hellebore is a plant that is easiest to propagate by dividing the bush. When it fades in the spring, it needs to be dug up. After a sharp tool, the rhizome is divided so that the shoots are on each part. They can already be transplanted to a permanent place. In the first month, care should be thorough with frequent watering and mulching of the soil around the roots.
It is worth noting that for certain types of hellebore, one method of reproduction is suitable. So, the Christmas rose is propagated in the spring by dividing the bush. For the eastern hellebore, the same method is suitable. But its reproduction is recommended in autumn. But the stinky hellebore does not tolerate division. It reproduces itself spontaneously. To do this, it is enough to leave wilted buds on the bushes after flowering.
Features of hellebore care
An adult plant does not like transplants. It can perfectly develop in one place up to ten years. During this time, all care is reduced to watering, weeding, rare top dressing. If necessary, pest control.
Hellebore flower needs watering only in severe drought. To minimize this procedure, it is advisable to mulch. It will not only retain moisture in the soil, but also stop the growth of weed grass. As mulch, they usually take leaf humus and compost in equal proportions.
Fertilizing hellebore is recommended in spring and early summer. More often this is not necessary. A good feed will be ash and bone meal in a ratio of one to one. If you introduce mulch, then it will rot over time and will also become an excellent fertilizer.
Care after flowering
When hellebore blooms, it can delight you with flowers for several months. After the buds fall, seed boxes begin to ripen. Usually the process lasts a whole summer. After that, the boxes simply burst. In order not to have to collect scattered seeds on the ground, gardeners use a little trick. They just put on gauze bags on unripe fruits. In them, there will be showered seeds. After they are dried in a room with low humidity and good ventilation. You can store seeds for a short time in a paper bag.
As already mentioned, the plant is a cold-resistant perennial. But in snowy frosty winters, it can suffer. Therefore, for reinsurance, a flowerbed with hellebore can be covered with spruce branches or dry foliage.
Hellebore diseases
In general, hellebore is resistant to disease, and it is almost never affected by pests.
- Most often, after winter frosts, leaves are damaged. They must be cut short with the onset of spring.
- If yellowish spots appear on the foliage, then this is a signal of the appearance of pests. In this case, the course of the drug "Oksikhom" or "Skor" will help.
- If there are black spots on the leaves, then the soil is excessively acidic. Then you need to liming.
Plant in landscape design
Hellebore flowers no plant can replace either in summer or in winter. They look great in all compositions. From hellebores you can make wonderful borders with primroses - delicate crocuses, early tulips, daffodils or snowdrops. Excellent partners for the flower will be the hosta and incense bushes. They also welcome partial shade. Very decorative composition with astilbe and geranium. Hellebore also looks amazing on an emerald green lawn, surrounded by cereals and ferns.
A flowering plant can decorate the terrace for Christmas. To do this, dig a bush before frost and transplant into a spacious pot. Then bring it to a covered veranda or greenhouse. They need to maintain a temperature of + 5 degrees. Under such conditions, beautiful buds will appear and bloom for the holidays.
The article examined photos and description of hellebore flower. When this plant blooms, how to plant it and how to care for it - now you all know it. Use these recommendations in practice, and then you can boast a picturesque garden year-round. Even a beginner can cope with care and cultivation!