Veratrum viride
American hellebore
A clump-forming, decidous perennial with oval to elliptic, pleated leaves up to 30cm long with hairy undersides arranged spirally around stout stems. Small green to yellowish-green flowers to 2cm across are borne on branching sprays in summer
Other common names
bear cabbagecrow poison
see moregreen false helleborine
itchweed
meadow poke
North American white hellebore
pokeroot
puppet root
swamp hellebore
wild hellebore
earth gall
green hellebore
Indian poke
pepper root
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Melanthiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Veratrum are herbaceous, rhizomatous perennials with erect stems bearing alternate, pleated ovate or elliptic leaves and dense, branched panicles of small, star-shaped flowers in summer
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a sheltered position in rich, deep, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, in partial shade; will grow in full sun if the soil is moist, but the foliage will be healthiest in shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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