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Herbaceous Perennial

Helleborus croaticus
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Croatian hellebore

A clump-forming, deciduous perennial to 40cm tall with rounded green leaves divided into a number of narrow leaflets often tinged purple. Slightly nodding flowers 2-3cm across borne in spring are a deep purple to reddish purple with greenish hues on the inside of the petals

Synonyms
Helleborus atrorubens subsp. croaticus
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Red Green Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
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

Plant range
Croatia

How to grow

Cultivation

Best grown in moist, fertile and humus-rich soils in full sun or partial shade. Protect from excessive wet from late summer to early spring when the plant is dormant; see hellebore cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to hellebore aphid, hellebore leaf miner and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to hellebore leaf spot and hellebore black death

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