The author of the text is MSc. Barbara Bogacz
Not so long ago, the choice of hellebores was limited. In fact, only white-flowering varieties derived from the white hellebore Helleborus niger were known. The Polish species name of this beautiful perennial refers to the color of the flowers, while the Latin name refers to the color of the root, which is black.
Latin generic name derives from Greek and is a combination of two words: hellein - meaning death or poison, and bora - food.In this case, both the Polish and Latin names confirm the poisonous properties of this plant, especially its leaves and roots.
The fact that hellebores are poisonous is nothing special as many plants possess this property.The unique fact is that they bloom, depending on the variety, from autumn, through winter, to spring.The great ease of crossing species and varieties of hellebores gave growers the opportunity to create a huge range of flower colors.
Hellebore grows best in a semi-shaded position in a humus and permeable substrate with a neutral reaction and constantly moderately moist. The semi-shade position is the most suitable for these long-lived perennials, because only in such lighting they form the most flower buds.
In too dark a place they create a lot of leaves, but they do not bloom, while in the sun they bloom poorly and grow poorly.Warm, but humid summers favor the flowering of plants. Water the hellebore during the summer.
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These perennials look best in large groups under the canopy of deciduous trees and shrubs, in flower beds or in rock gardens, accompanied by spring bulbs, ferns, primroses, laurels and heathers.Hellebore develops quite slowly - in the first year they bloom only 20%, while in the second 90%.
