Helleborus × hybridus 'Harvington Smokey Blues'
hellebore 'Harvington Smokey Blues'
A clump-forming bushy evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial with dark green leathery deeply-lobed erect leaves. Flowers are saucer-shaped, single, dark purple-black with a smoky sheen and a pale yellow central eye.
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Black Purple Yellow | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter | Black Purple Yellow | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–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. 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
Unresolved
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.
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring or summer. Usually comes true from seed, but may take a few years to flower.
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Remove faded or damaged foliage as the flowers appear, likewise remove flowers as they fade and dry
Pests
May be susceptible to hellebore aphid and hellebore leaf miner. Snails may be a problem, particularly on developing flower buds.
Diseases
May be susceptible to hellebore leaf spot and hellebore black death
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.