The hellebore , Helleborus , is a penis of the expansiveRanunculaceae family .
It ’s not one plant , but a mob of just about 20 species , plus various subspecies . And it ’s often called the Lenten , Christmas , or Winter rose .
Most hellebore grown in the home base garden are assortedH. orientalishybrids that are collectively referred to asHelleborusxhybridus .
Hellborus x hybridus
They extend a “ potluck ” colour palette , and bloom during the recent winter to early spring period when many other plant are still dormant .
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If you are new to growing these pretty wintertime flowers , see ourguide to grow hellebores .
Hellborus x hybridus
In this clause , you ’ll learn about how the appendage of the variedHelleborusgenus are grouped for classification , as well as the cardinal features of the major species to date .
What You’ll Learn
Classifying a Genus
Perhaps the most singular feature article of hellebores is the wide mixture of machine characteristic that survive among these plants .
Even within a exclusive species , you may find dissimilar sizes , colors , leaf shapes , and petal or sepal trait .
Experts in the plant world cope with distinguishing one species from another until 1989 , when British botanist Brian Mathew pen a monograph on hellebores that still stand as the definitive classification of the genus .
In an exertion to bring order to a mishmash of identified hellebore species , Mathew examined their physical characteristics , and discover that they all fit nicely into one of six basic botanic types .
He depute each one to its right section and theHelleborusgenus finally had a classification system . It is still in use today .
As clip give , Will McLewin , one of Mathew ’s colleagues and an intrepid Orion of hellebores in their aboriginal Balkan part , and two other botanists , Michael Fay and Hang Sun , continued to study the genus .
In 2001 , they presented “ The Molecular Phylogeny ofHelleborus ” to the botanical community .
It question the classification ofH. thibetanus , the only hellebore purported to be of Asian rootage , and criticize the arrest - all nature of the Helleborastrum section .
Debates within the hellebore community preserve and will likely ensue in further amercement - tuning of this classification system in the future .
Six Unique Types
At this time , there are approximately 20 different recognized hellebore species . Every one fit into one of Mathew ’s six department of classification .
lease ’s calculate at the defined sections , examine the specie in each , and break their unique characteristics .
1. Syncarpus
This section ’s name derives from the word “ syncarpous , ” meaning to have three joined curing of reproductive organs , or carpel .
There is only one metal money in this category . It isH. vesicarius , a rarified works that is very thought-provoking to produce .
It has nondescript green bloom that measure a tiny 3/8 to 1 1/2 inches wide , and front like tiny cylinders with an opening at the bottom .
If it were n’t for a prominent maroon stria , they would blend in with the leaves and likely go unnoticed in the garden .
Most noteworthy about this flora are the especially magnanimous , conjoined carpel , or seed pod . They take up out green and turn over brownish , protruding to a length that ’s about three times as long as the flowers .
Unlike most varieties , instead of create single seminal fluid pod , those ofH. vesicariusunite to forge one big pod . And or else of initiative to disperse come , the pod cling to the root word until a gentle wind blow it away .
Another unique characteristic is that after going to sow , this works spends the summer in dormancy , while other type continue to grow .
This is a caulescent , or stemmed specie . It is deciduous , swing its leaves in summertime .
There is a hammock of mild , deeply part , medium - dark-green leafage at the substructure . The bract , or tufts beneath the peak , are leafy than those of most types , and are considered to be honest leaves , unlike those of most varieties , which are very sparse .
ripe heights gain 18 inches . H. vesicariusis suited toUSDA Hardiness Zones7 to 9 . Bloom time is from recent winter to former spring .
2. Griphopus
works in this class have narrow , separate leave that resemble the feet of a mythical griffin . To escort , there is one , H. foetidus .
It is also known as the bearsfoot , bear ’s metrical unit , or reek hellebore – the leaves sometimes have a musky odor when they are crushed .
The flowers of this kind are about one in in diameter , chartreuse , and cylindrical . Sometimes the lips are tinged with maroon .
This is a caulescent , or halt industrial plant . The fluid , dark puritanic - unripe , leathery foliation is evergreen . It consist of basal pitcher’s mound of deeply burn , narrow-minded leaves with serrated sharpness , and leaf bracts of lighter green beneath the flower .
Mature heights may make three fundament . This type is desirable for uprise in Zones 5 to 9 . Bloom fourth dimension is from late wintertime to other spring .
In addition to the reliable species , there are cultivar as well , including the pleasantly scented ‘ Miss Jekyll , ’ bright light-green three - foot ‘ Green Giant , ’ 12 - inch dwarf ‘ Sierra Nevada Group , ’ and the ‘ Wester Flisk Group , ’ with its crimson - tinged fore and leaves .
3. Chenopus
In this segment are plants with leaves that consist of three segment , like the foot of a goose , or in Greek , “ chen ” or χήνα ( “ chína ” ) .
There are two metal money , H. argutifolius , andH. lividus , both caulescent types that have slurred fore .
There are no leaves at the fundament of these . Instead , leathery green leafage is clustered at the tops of stems that reach three to four feet magniloquent at maturity . The leave of absence are deeply serrate and have a long middle lobe and two shorter side single .
H. argutifoliusis the holly - entrust hellebore . It is also known as the Corsican hellebore , H. corsicus , from an earlier classification .
The heyday are lightsome green and cup - shaped . They measure one to two in in diameter , and open only partially .
This form is well grow in Zones 5 to 9 . Expect efflorescence from previous winter to other outpouring .
In addition to true specie plant , there are cultivars ofH. argutifoliusavailable as well , include ‘ Janet Starnes , ’ a variety with variegated green and white leave .
H. lividus , the Majorcan hellebore , resemblesH. argutifoliuswith its three - part folio . However , its prime exhibit hues from pale green to arise , and the foliation is glossy and veined prominently in white .
The fledged tallness of this plant is 12 to 18 inch . It is more tender thanH. argutifolius , and grows best in Zones 8 to 9 . efflorescence bloom from late winter to early spring .
4. Helleborus
Despite all hellebores having the Latin “ Helleborus ” in their name , the only member of Mathew ’s Helleborus classification isH. Republic of Niger , aka the Christmas rose .
SometimesH. nigeris also called the bleak hellebore . This is somewhat puzzling , because the color refers to the dark root word of the plant , and not the petal - similar sepals .
There are almost - ignominious Lenten rose cultivar available that fall within the Helleborastrum division , such asHelleborusxhybridusWinter Jewels ® ‘ Onyx Odyssey , ’ that are actually very deep purple .
‘ Onyx Odyssey ’
you may discover ‘ Onyx Odyssey ’ plantsavailable from Burpee .
H. nigeris an acaulescent plant , with short flower stalk of approximately six inches that rise flat from its fleshy rhizome , rather than clustering atop true stems . Sometimes the stalks are a purplish color .
H. nigeris known for having showy , star - alike blossoms that face outward instead of downwardly in the usual nod way . They are snow-covered white and step by step languish to pink , then green . Most are between one - and - one - half to three inches , although larger ones can happen .
There is a mound of coriaceous , benighted - dark-green basal foliage . The folio are palm-shaped , meaning that they fan out like finger’s breadth , with seven to nine segment . There may be some serration at the tips .
H. nigergrows to between 9 and 12 in grandiloquent at maturity . This plant is evergreen and expand just in zone 3 to 7 . It flower from late winter to early spring .
In addition to the unfeigned species , there are legion extra cultivar usable with noteworthy lineament , like the three - column inch blossom of ‘ Potter ’s bicycle ’ and the mid - December bloom date of ‘ Praecox . ’
There are also two race ofH. niger :
H. nigerssp.nigerhas flower that measure 2.75 inches across .
H. nigerssp.macranthusis make out for having the prominent flowers , up to 3.75 inches in diam , and blue - grayish gullible leaves .
5. Helleborastrum
This plane section is somewhat of a grab - all , and it wo n’t add up as a surprise if it eventually undergoes further fine - tuning . The mintage it contains are crossed ofttimes to give rise hybrids labeled somewhat generically asHelleborusxhybridus .
Currently include in this expansive section are :
These plants are all acaulescent , bring forth heyday stalks like a shot from fleshy rootstalk . Some display color variation within a unmarried classification . There are numerous race and crossbreed in existence .
It may be difficult to find true specie – specially of the rarefied types – for the home garden ; however , dauntless crossbred diverseness abound .
Here are the highlights of each :
If you ever detect yourself strolling through the cragged regions of northerly Italy and come across a picket to lime green bloom with deeply divided , serrate , fern - like green foliage , it may well beH. abruzzicus .
Not classified until the former 2000s , H. abruzzicusis still coming into its own . It ’s not well known or widely useable , and precise market descriptions are typically vague .
One UK purveyor describes the flowers as “ relatively large . ” The sepals are somewhat more pointed than round .
This is a deciduous type that drop its leafage at season ’s end . The basal leaves are bright unripe , exquisitely divide , and serrated , with a pedate tendency .
The height of this plant is a tiny 8 to 12 inches . It ’s suited to growing in Zones 6 to 9 . Bloom time is later than most – do n’t expect to see heyday until spring .
One of the first to bloom in late winter , this type fades as give gets afoot . It has smaller blossoms that are slightly manoeuver and assess one to two inches .
The flowers tend to front outwards instead of nodding in a down direction . Colors range from dark purpleness to bright green , often with violet rear and dark-green undersides .
The stems of this kind lean to ramify more than other type .
The intermediate - green leaves are deeply shared and sometimes subdivide in pedate fashion , creating an almost orbitual perimeter . Each section is narrow , smooth , leathery , and serrated at the pourboire . New leafage may be tinged with purple .
This is a deciduous variety that drops its farewell at time of year ’s destruction .
This plant reaches a height of 12 to 18 inches at matureness , and is suited to zona 6 to 8 . Bloom time is late wintertime .
Formerly relegate as a race ofH. multifidus , H. bocconeihails from the cragged region of Italy and is still somewhat rare to find in polish .
UK purveyor draw the bloom as “ intermediate - big , ” with a perfume similar to elderberry or currant . They are light fleeceable , yellowish - green , or xanthous - blank , and shaped like saucers .
average unripened , smooth , leathery basal leaves have jag serration , and thick divisions and section in pedate panache . This is a deciduous type that drops its parting at the death of the growing time of year .
Petite plants broadly top out at 12 inches , but sometimes reach twice this stature . They bloom too soon , often at the beginning of winter .
H. bocconeishould flourish well in Zones 5 to 8 .
H. croaticusis a Croatian species with one- to two - inch flowers that are similar to those ofH. torquatus .
They may be purple or green , or imperial shading to dark fleeceable on the underside . The sepal are slightly steer and have prominent purple veining .
The best way to tell this mintage from others with alike coloring is to appear for fuzzy hairs on the nodding flower stanch , or pedicels , and on the undersides of the leaves .
This character is deciduous and drops its leave , going dormant early on , at summer ’s last .
The foliage ofH. coraticusis similar to that ofH. atrorubens , being medium green , with a mound at the base and some beneath each flower .
Unlike the flaccid leaves of other deciduous types , those ofH. croaticusare reasonably leathery . They are serrate and have three deeply divided segments arranged in pedate style .
This plant life reaches between 8 and 16 inches in peak and is suited to arise in Zones 4 to 8 . It blooms in late winter .
H. cyclophyllushas unripened to yellow - green bell - like blossoms that quantify one to two inches in diam . Some nod , while others face outwards . The sepals are slimly pointed and the flowers may have a musky or slightly unfermented olfactory sensation .
This variety is stemless with deciduous leafage that mound at the base .
The lenient leaves are of medium width , serrated , and noticeably thick . They are segment in pedate way , and form an almost round perimeter . There are three main parts , some with further arm .
H. cyclophyllusis alike toH. odorus . There are two ways to differentiate the difference : H. cyclophyllusdoes not have join carpels , and its new leaf is crimson with fuzzy hair , as controvert to the still and leathery green foliage ofH. odorus .
ripe tiptop are between 16 and 20 inches . It does best in zona 6 to 9 . This plant is one of the early wintertime pratfall .
Still comparatively rare in the place garden , H. dumetorumis study tenuous in comparison to others .
The flowers are usually account as “ small , ” and for a hellebore , that means about an inch in diam . The sepals are light gullible and slightly indicate , loving cup - mould , and nodding .
This is an acaulescent , deciduous works that is sometimes dormant by summer ’s end . Soft basal foliage may start out reddish , but matures to medium green . The leaves are minute and pedate , except in some cases , when they are set in a shoe anatomy .
There are three main folio segment that are further subdivided . They have fuzzy hairs on their undersides , and are thin in texture than most species .
Mature elevation straddle from 8 to 12 inches . H. dumetorumthrives in Zones 4 to 8 . Bloom time is from tardy wintertime to early spring .
Known as the Ligurian Lenten rose , this species originates in the northern coastal regions of Italy , and is still relatively rare in the home garden .
The flower are considered big in comparing to other industrial plant assort as Helleborastrum , have in mind they are potential to be at least two inches in diam .
They are saucer shape with slightly pointed sepals that are lily-white to greenish - whitened , often with bloodless backs and unripened - tinged underside .
The flowers are perfumed and have been described as both sweet-scented and lemony .
In addition to the colour , the foliation is a distinguishing characteristic of this plant . It is pedate , but much less segmented than that of other specie . And it is soft , deciduous , and intermediate green .
This flora matures to a height of just about 15 inches . It should thrive in Zones 5 to 8 , and blooms from late winter to other leap .
Green to purple saucer - shaped flowers with slightly pointed sepals characterizeH. multifidus . There are numerous race that motley slightly from one another .
Some are all green , while others have empurpled backs and gullible undersides , purple - tinged edges , and entirely purple sepal .
The leafage of this eccentric also varies widely . Mounds of basal farewell are pedate , often with 20 to 45 segments , many of which are further subdivided . They are smooth , leathery , and jaggedly serrated .
This is an acaulescent type that may admit on to some of its leaves year - pear-shaped . However , some race go abeyant by summertime ’s end .
Mature peak rate from 8 to 14 column inch . It is well suited to gardens in Zones 4 to 8 . Bloom time is from late winter to early spring .
H. occidentaliswas considered a subspecies ofH. viridisuntil it was reclassify by the squad of Mathew and McLewin .
It has nodding heads of wanton green that measure roughly one to two in in diameter . The sepals are slightly pointed .
This is a deciduous case . more or less fragile basal leaves are dark green , glossy , and raggedly serrated . They are pedate , or foot - like , and consist of two master segment that exhibit an additional three to six divisions each .
ripe heights range from 8 to 16 inch tall . This plant does well in Zones 4 to 8 , and blooms from late winter to other spring .
The two- to three - in blossoms ofH. odorus , or fragrant hellebore , can have a musky odor , or they may be smell - free . coloration range from chartreuse to super C . They open up to a shallow discus shape .
A distinguishing feature ofH. odorusis the slightly join carpel that become evident when the seed pod begin to swell .
The foliation of this variety mounds at the base and is quiet and leathery . It is sparse in the bract beneath the efflorescence . Colors change from dark putting green to yellowish - green .
The leaves are fizgig - like , of intermediate breadth with prominent serration . They are arranged in pedate , ft - like style , and lie in of three main segments , some of which are further subdivided .
Unlike many false hellebore , this one has foggy hair on the leaf stem , or leafstalk , as well as the leaf underside .
H. odorusreaches a mature height of between one and two metrical unit , and may hold on to some of its leaves from one arise time of year to the next . It is well suited to zone 6 to 8 , and blooms in late winter .
Commonly eff as the Lenten rose , H. orientalisexhibits legion colors and forms and is exceptionally hardy , make it the most frequently cross - bred smorgasbord .
There are so many plant that originate in this section that the cultivar are collectively calledHelleborusxhybridus .
From Andrew D. White and yellows to green , pinks , and purples , there are single and twofold varieties in abundance from which the home gardener can choose .
There are three subspecies ofH. orientalis :
This type is deciduous , dropping its leaves at season ’s end . It extend to a ripe summit of 12 to 18 inch , and is well befit to Zones 4 to 9 . Bloom prison term is from late winter to former spring .
H. purpurascenshas cup - shaped violet flowers that range from one to two inches in diameter . The undersides of the sepals are over-embellished or bright dark-green .
The gentle , medium - immature foliage of this plant is deep part into multiple narrow segments . Being deciduous , it drops its leafage at season ’s goal .
fledged high reach between 8 and 12 column inch . This species is suit to Zones 4 to 8 , and blooms early in the wintertime .
The one- to two - inch flowers ofH. torquatusnod or face outwards . The sepal are gong - like , with deep purple book binding and fleeceable undersides . Sometimes you ’ll find striping on the undersides .
The striping and cryptical over-embellished gloss makeH. torquatusa popular plant for hybridizing .
The foliage consists of indulgent green leaf ting with purple . Each has a pedate , or foot - and - toe , placement of multiple narrow , serrated section .
This species is deciduous , dropping all of its leaves at the end of the growing time of year .
Mature heights are between 9 and 12 inch . It is suit to acquire in Zones 4 to 8 , and blooms in recent winter .
Sometimes called the green Lenten arise , this type has blossoms with a diameter of one to two in , and powder - green , pointed sepals .
H. viridisis deciduous . The foliage is palmate , or fan - alike , and consists of segment immature leaves that are narrow and lustrous , with jagged serrated edge .
It reach a mature height of 12 to 18 inch , does good in Zones 6 to 9 , and salad days in former and mid - spring .
6. Dicarpon
The terminal section of Mathew ’s classification contains species that have two join ejaculate - containing carpels .
To date , there is one such plant , H. thibetanus , the only hellebore to arise in Asia , as counterbalance to the Mediterranean . There is some debate over its bloodline , so change may be extroverted !
H. thibetanusis a comparative newcomer to the US hellebore marketplace . It was identified in China in the 1860s , but was not available outside its native commonwealth until the 1990s .
It is characterized by partially open , bell - shaped blossoms that may nod or face outwards .
Crisp sepal may get down out white and slicing to ping and then green . There may be purple veining . The sepals are pointed , unlike the rounded ones of many types .
This is an acaulescent plant life with stalks that rise direct from heavy rhizomes . The flabby , light - gullible foliage beneath the efflorescence is comprised of serrate leaf with seven to 11 segments each .
A notable fact is that unlike the other species , and most works , H. thibetanusdoes not produce cotyledons , or the embryonic seed leaf of indefinite frame that usually come first when seedlings sprout . Instead , true leaves appear from the start .
This industrial plant is deciduous . It can reach a mature height of 18 inches , and is suited to Zones 6 to 8 . rosiness time is from tardy winter to former leap .
In addition to the true metal money , there are cultivar useable as well . ‘ wed Kuai Zi ’ is a white variety show with a pinkish oculus and slightly designate sepal .
Hybridization
plant available for purchase may be reliable species , or hybrids of two or more types .
In addition , some are breed to heighten what was once a mutation , the formation of a row of flower petal inside the out row of sepals , forebode “ doubling . ”
you could read more in our guide to the differentvarieties of double hellebore here .
If you look for some of the rarer plant with no succeeder , contact your local hellebore society or note breeders directly .
Hellebore specie are oftentimes crossed to grow hybrid .
When two or more different species in the same section are crossed , the result is call in an interspecific hybrid . An example of this isHelleborusxhybridus , the cross betweenH. orientalisand another species in the Helleborastrum section .
When two or more metal money from different section are crossed , the result is an intersectional hybrid .
For object lesson , Helleborusxballardiaeis the event of crossingH. lividus , of the Chenopus section , withH. niger , of the Helleborus section .
It has the pink colouration ofH. lividusand the liberally sized flower ofH. niger .
In addition , not all crossbreed will ensue in fertile semen , and hybrid seed that are executable produce varied results .
For more information on the fascinating world of hellebore interbreeding , I recommend take “ Hellebores : A Comprehensive Guide ” by C. Colston Burrell and Judith Knott Tyler .
Hellebores : A Comprehensive Guide
Find it nowon Amazon .
A Note of Caution:
While history and research indicate that some coinage may have antibacterial or anti - incitive properties , hellebore plants are poisonous . jade glove when handling them , as contact lens with the sap may cause reactions in raw people .
Purposeful Planting
With this background on theHelleborusgenus , you ’re quick to confidently introduce singular newfangled flora to your outdoor landscape . Feel complimentary to discourse knowledgeably with purveyor of plant and seeds , as well as other growers .
You now have an savvy of which plants are rare , and may be enjoyably surprised to larn that their successful culture may earn you a desired place in a local hellebore society or horticultural competition .
In plus , you ’ll join the ranks ofenvironmentally - witting gardeners who plant for wildlife .
How ?
When you choose to grow late - wintertime to early - outflow - blooming hellebore , you supply a valuable food source for bumblebees who often struggle to discover nectar - rich industrial plant during this time .
Add recurrent hellebores to your garden bed and borders , and embellish your property with charming plants that are sure to nod their headspring in approval .
If you want to study more about the fascinatingworld of hellebores , you ’ll require these guides next :
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Nan Schiller
