Helleborus multifidus subsp. istriacus

RHS Plant Profile
Istrian deeply-incised-leaved hellebore

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Istrian deeply-incised-leaved hellebore RHS

Synonyms

Helleborus odorus subsp. laxus
Helleborus multifidus subsp. laxus

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

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

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam

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
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
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

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