Helleborus × hybridus 'Harvington Smokey Blues'

RHS Plant Profile
hellebore 'Harvington Smokey Blues'

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Synonyms

Helleborus × hybridus 'Harvington Smokey Purple'

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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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.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or East–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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eatenskin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eatenskin 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