Helleborus × hybridus 'Double Ellen Purple' (d)

RHS Plant Profile
hellebore 'Double Ellen Purple'

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming, semi-evergreen perennial up to 35cm high with leathery, dark green leaves and double, lightly speckled, deep purple flowers with yellow stamens, from late winter to spring

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi 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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, but it prefers fertile, neutral to alkaline, moisture retentive, humus –rich soils that are not prone to staying wet or drying out in summer. Improve lighter soil with organic matter such as garden compost or a manure-based soil conditioner prior to planting and mulch well. Plant in light shade with shelter from strong cold winds. For more advice, see hellebore cultivation.

Propagation

Propagate large clumps by division in early spring or early autumn. Water well until established. Plants propagated by seed may be variable.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

Remove old leaves in mid to late winter before the flowers start appearing to expose the emerging flowers and control hellebore leaf spot. Deadhead by removing the old faded flower stems.

Pests

May be susceptible to hellebore aphid, slugs and snails.

Diseases

May be susceptible to hellebore black death, hellebore leaf spot, grey moulds (botrytis) and virus diseases.