From our roots to our flowers, we hellebores are generally resilient plants, but we are not invincible. When our environment is out of balance or we are under stress, certain pests and diseases can take hold, compromising our health and the beauty we strive to provide. Here is a detailed account of the most common adversaries we face and how you can help us recover.
In early spring, as we push forth our tender new leaves and flower buds, we become a prime target for aphids. These small, soft-bodied insects cluster on our undersides and stems, piercing our tissues to suck out our vital sap. This feeding weakens us, causing our new growth to become distorted, stunted, and discolored. Furthermore, they excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which attracts ants and encourages the growth of sooty mold, a black fungal coating that interferes with our photosynthesis. A strong spray of water can often dislodge these pests, or you can introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs. In severe cases, insecticidal soaps are an effective treatment.
This fungal disease, caused by *Microsphaeropsis hellebori*, is one of our most frequent complaints. It manifests as small, round, brown or black spots on our leaves and sepals. These spots often have a purplish-brown margin and can coalesce into larger blotches, severely disfiguring our foliage and sometimes causing entire leaves to brown and die back prematurely. The fungus thrives in damp, crowded conditions with poor air circulation. To assist us, please remove and destroy any infected leaves as soon as you notice them, clear away old foliage in late winter before new growth emerges, and ensure we are planted with adequate space between us for air to flow freely.
This is the most serious disease we can encounter, and it is caused by a virus vectored by those same aphids. True to its name, Black Death is devastating. It causes black streaking and netting patterns on our leaves and stems, severe stunting of our growth, and deformation of our flowers, which may also exhibit black streaks. There is no cure for this viral infection. If you observe these symptoms on one of us, the kindest and most crucial action is to dig us up immediately and dispose of us in the trash—do not compost, as this will spread the virus. Controlling aphid populations is the primary method of prevention.
Perhaps our greatest cultural need is well-draining soil. Our roots are highly susceptible to rot caused by various fungal pathogens, most notably *Phytophthora* and *Pythium*, if we are left sitting in saturated, waterlogged soil. This condition prevents our roots from absorbing oxygen and nutrients, leading to a general decline. You will notice our leaves yellowing, wilting, and collapsing, and our overall growth will be poor. The roots themselves will appear brown, black, and mushy instead of firm and white. Prevention is key: plant us in raised beds or amend heavy clay soil with generous amounts of organic matter to dramatically improve drainage.
