Helleborus

Helleborus abruzzicus

Originally found by Will McLewin in the Lazio/Abruzzo region of Italy this is an extreme form of multifidus bocconei in which the leaves are greatly sub-divided almost in the manner of serbicus flowers hinted with caramel externally.

It appears that in the fast moving world of Hellebore nomenclature, this plant, which we once listed as an extreme form of multifidus (aff. multifidus) is now being referred to as Helleborus abruzzicus. I am not aware if this is name of convenience or if it has been botanically christened in a more formal way.

Helleborus abruzzicushelabrabr	£17.50		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
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Helleborus dumetorum

This slender species always looks delicate, but is in fact a tough woodland or meadow plant with a very distinctive leaf divided into slender leaflets. The species is deciduous and new leaves appear with the flowers each spring. Quite small-flowered, but they compensate with up to 10 lime-green blooms per cluster, on each 20-30cm stem.

Young plants from seed of Will McLewin's collection made in Vargestes, Central Hungary, but many have flowered.

Helleborus dumetorum heldumdum	£8.50		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
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Helleborus occidentalis

Helleborus occidentalis was once regarded as a form of viridis but now stands as a species in its own right. It grows more to the north and west than viridis and is spread from the UK across France, Spain and Germany.

It has basal leaves with toothed edges (hairless beneath). These are lost in the winter but regrow in spring along with clusters of bright green flowers each about 3cm across which are held on long pedicels. Despite this green colouring, they are remarkably conspicuous and their precocious flowers are a valuable feature of the early spring garden.

It is easy to grow needing just a reasonable soil in half shade. It does not take too badly to brighter light and will flower better but die back sooner. In deeper shade, it grows more luxuriantly, stays green longer but perhaps flowers a little less well.

New stock raised from a JMH collection number, different to our other stock. This originated in the Spanish Pyrenees, in Lerida province, where it was found on the Puerto de la Bonaigua at 1850m over 30 years ago.

Helleborus occidentalisheloccocc	£9.50		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
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Helleborus orientalis orientalis

This is generally white with a degree of cream or green shading, at the base of the petals, the nectaries are green.

It is interesting that two of the petals are often smaller and greener than the others - this is usually a sign of the start of floral evolution.

Raised from seed collected in Georgia, 60Km north of Tbilisi and now in its second and third generation in cultivation. Readily grown here and a very attractive subspecies.

Helleborus orientalis orientalisheloriori	£13.50		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
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Helleborus orientalis orientalis November flowering

A selected strain which is characteristically very early with its blooms which start to open during November. Reliable in its flowering and flowering time and an excellent addition to our range.

This originated from seed parents found in the Caucasus, 25 km NW of Tbilisi.

Helleborus orientalis orientalishelorinov	£13.50		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
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Helleborus viridis

Helleborus viridis was formerly included within the range of variation of what is now H. occidentalis. It shares some features with that plant (as well as with H. bocconei). However H. viridis has a more southerly range and is found mostly in N. Italy and surrounding alpine regions. It is larger than H. occidentalis with flowers that open flat and there are also a series of minor botanical differences, such as less serrate leaves with deeper divisions which have hairs below and also longer seed follicles.

It flowers in late winter and very early spring and carries hanging racemes of flat faced, lizard-green flowers. Whilst it is not common in gardens this is an attractive plant thriving in a moist, fertile soil and half-shade, especially in drier climates where excess dryness in summer can induce premature leaf-dormancy.

Helleborus viridishelvirvir	£12.50		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
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