Helleborus multifidus subsp. istriacus
Istrian deeply-incised-leaved hellebore
A deciduous herbaceous perennial, up to 30cm high, with green leaves, the young leaves sometimes with coppery tints and the leaflets divided into ten to fourteen finely-serrated segments. Nodding flowers appear from late winter to spring; they are cone- to cup-shaped, 4-5.5cm across, green and sometimes tinted with purple on the outsides, and with a scent that is sometimes said to be reminiscent of Ribes sanguineum
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Bronze | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- 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
Grow in fertile, moisture-retentive, humus-rich but very well-drained soil which is preferably alkaline, in light dappled shade and with shelter from strong, cold winds, and mulch every autumn with leaf mould, chipped bark or other organic matter; for more advice, see hellebore cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed (to avoid unwanted hybrids, allow seeding only if grown away from other hellebores) or by division of large clumps in early spring, watering well until they are established
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Remove old leaves to help prevent hellebore leaf spot; old faded flower stems can be deadheaded, but if they are left the plants will self-seed
Pests
May be susceptible to hellebore aphid, hellebore leaf miner and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to hellebore black death, hellebore leaf spot, downy mildews, grey moulds (botrytis), smuts, and virus diseases
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