Veratrum californicum

RHS Plant Profile

California false hellebore

Herbaceous Perennial

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An upright, rhizomatous perennial to 2.5m high, with broad, pleated bright green leaves that are hairy underneath. In summer, produces branching flower stems covered with small, star-shaped, green and creamy white flowers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Melanthiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets if eaten (dogs) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
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: Unresolved
Plant Range: Western N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile soil in partial shade; will tolerate full sun in a site where the soil does not dry out. Protect from cold, drying winds. Poisonous to livestock.

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe, or by division of established clumps in early spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Flower spike can be cut down after flowering, or left to develop seed heads for winter interest

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free