Helleborus × sternii
Stern's hybrid hellebore
A clump-forming, evergreen perennial, to 35cm, with purple, biennial stems bearing leaves with three green, pale-veined leaflets. Nodding, creamy-green flowers, suffused with pinkish-purple and 3-5cm in width, are borne in open clusters from late winter to mid-spring
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | Green Purple | Green | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Purple | Green | ||
| Winter | Purple | Green Purple | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Helleborus can be rhizomatous, herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennials forming a clump of pedate basal leaves, or evergreen with erect, leafy stems. Large, bowl-shaped flowers are borne in loose clusters in late winter or spring
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in neutral to alkaline soils that are moist, fertile and humus-rich. Partial shade is ideal but can tolerate full sun. Provide shelter from strong, cold winds. Mulch annually in autumn. See hellebore cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe, or by division in late spring after flowering
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Remove faded or damaged foliage as the flowers appear
Pests
May be susceptible to hellebore aphid and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to hellebore black death, hellebore leaf spot and a virus
Get involved
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