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Herbaceous Perennial

Helleborus × hybridus 'Harvington Smokey Blues'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

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.

Synonyms
Helleborus × hybridus 'Harvington Smokey Purple'

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
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
H4
Botanical 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

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