We Hellebores are not fans of moving, so please choose our location with care. We crave a spot with well-drained, fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. While we adore dappled sunlight beneath deciduous trees, we can also thrive in partial shade. The most important factor is that our roots never sit in soggy, waterlogged soil, as this will lead to a swift and unfortunate rot. A little morning sun is wonderful for encouraging our blooms to open fully.
When you bring us home, preferably in early fall or late winter, dig a hole that is both wider and a little deeper than our root ball. Mix the excavated soil with generous handfuls of compost or leaf mold. Place us in the hole so that our crown—the point where our roots meet our stems—is level with the soil surface. Backfill the hole, firm the soil gently around us, and give us a long, deep drink of water to help settle our roots into their new abode.
Once established, we are quite drought-tolerant, but we perform best with consistent moisture, especially during our active growth periods in spring and fall. A layer of organic mulch, like shredded bark or compost, applied around our base in spring is immensely beneficial. It keeps our roots cool, suppresses weeds, and slowly enriches the soil as it decomposes. A light application of a balanced, organic fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges is all the extra food we typically need.
Our flowering season is a marvel, often beginning in late winter when little else stirs. To best showcase our nodding flowers, you may wish to gently remove the previous year's foliage in late winter or early spring before the new flower stalks and leaves emerge. This not only makes our blooms more visible but also helps prevent the spread of leaf spot diseases. After we finish flowering, our handsome, leathery leaves will provide a beautiful backdrop in your garden throughout the summer and fall.
We are famously resistant to deer and rabbits, who find our foliage unpleasant. We are also largely untroubled by pests, though aphids might occasionally visit our flower buds. A strong spray of water is usually enough to dislodge them. We are the perfect, long-lived companions for other shade-loving plants like ferns, hostas, and spring bulbs. Planting us near a path or entrance allows you to fully appreciate our early, cheerful blooms that defy the winter cold.
