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Hellebores

whitakerkathryn8whitakerkathryn8 Posts: 7
in Problem solving
Hi
Last winter I bought a pot of hellebores which I was hoping would flower again this winter.  Nothing.  I haven’t moved them.
Just one lonely leaf ?
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Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Welcome. Are the hellebores in the ground or in a pot? Slugs can eat them off... Or maybe they dried out too much? How big were the plants when you bought them?
  • whitakerkathryn8whitakerkathryn8 Posts: 7
    Hi - they are in a terracotta pot.  About 6” high.  
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited March 2022
    .
  • whitakerkathryn8whitakerkathryn8 Posts: 7
    Ok - but confused as GW website says pots are fine…. anyway thanks for your help.  I will try planting them in one of my borders 😊
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited March 2022
    Do you know what kind of hellebore you have?  My thoughts are that six inches seems to be pretty small so you might have to grow them on a fair bit.  Mature hellebores can have large, deep roots, so long term, they are not happy in pots. Other posters here might have other views.

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    I'm guessing it was in flower when you bought it? Do you remember whether it was Niger or the oriental type? After it flowered, did it put out lots of leaves?

    I think you should tip it out of the pot, very gently and see what's going on. If the root ball is small, repot in fresh compost and keep the pot in a semi-shaded position, but remember to water it. If the roots are filling the pot but the plant is small, pot up into a slightly larger container and do as above. If the whole plant is vigorous and raring to go, plant it out in a shady position in the garden and let it get going. (But remember to water it.)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Is the plant very small, and what type is it? A six inch pot isn't very big, and they do have quite spreading roots. Terracotta also absorbs more moisture, so is it very dry?
    If so, do as suggested above by @Posy. They need reasonable decent soil which is moisture retentive, but also well drained. The nigers especially need to be in well drained soil, and that's difficult here, so I make sure the crowns are slightly proud so that they don't rot.
    They do best in the ground, but I grow various types in containers no problem as well. 

    If you have a photo, that will also help  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I wonder if you've got Helleborus niger, the white type? It tends to be much less vigorous than orientalis or the hybrids. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • whitakerkathryn8whitakerkathryn8 Posts: 7
    Thank thank you all - you’ve been a fantastic help! 😊
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Niger needs more sun too.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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