Hellibores
Lancashire Lass
Posts: 367
I have a beautiful white hellebore, growing in a shady area which has 15 flowers on it as we speak. The flowers are going over now and new leaves are sprouting.
I transplanted it in November moving it from a part of the garden where it couldn't be seen and It has since been shining out between a rhododendron and a Daphne, lightening the Winter gloom. I am new to this plant but it has been blooming for over 3 months now so it is well worth caring for properly and giving it the love and attention that it deserves!
When during the year is the correct time to cut back the leaves to reveal the flowers? (I'm guessing as soon as I see the flowers at the base of the plant in late Autumn, but I'm not sure)
Is there anything else I should be doing to care for it properly.
I understand that any seedlings would not come true to form so am I best to dead head as the flowers die?
I have done a Google search but would rather ask the experts on here who have been there/bought the T shirt!
Posts
I cut the old foliage off when I see the flowers starting to come through. I also give them a feed of pelleted chicken manure lightly forked in around the base once the old leaves have been cleared.
I do let mine self seed as I have several varieties in cream, pink, purple, almost black and cream with splodges so I hope to get some interesting offspring.
December is the best time to cut them back .... Plus it stops black spot some new varieties onto the market are sterile... I have two large hellibores in my garden with 40+ flowers on both of them and to be honest have only ever had 2 seedlings ( one last year and one this year) that have come through that I haven't accidentally weeded.... If u want more sow the seeds as soon as they pop then forget about them next feb they should sprout!!!! Who knows what colour combinations you may get!!!
I wouldn't dead head, you might get something just as good or better in a seedling.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Thanks for the replies. I think I will leave the dead heading and see what materialises.
I have three beautiful helibores in the front border, they have been flowering since December. The flowers are still looking good but the new leaves have come through and are as big as the flower stems. When should I cut off the flowers?
Thanks Verdun, the problem is the flowers look absolutely fine still, I was just wondering if I am weakening/damaging the plant by leaving them on so long
I never touch then Bal and I have a lovely collection. It's what plants did before gardeners turned up, made seeds and reproduced
In the sticks near Peterborough
Thanks everyone. I will leave them alone and just enjoy them
Hi Here are some photos of the Helibores, does any one know what type they are. I have never seen ones as big as this, the leaves are really stiff and very sharp on the edges.
The were already here when we moved in 18 months ago.
There are loads of seedling under all three plants, I have potted up one that was quite big. Will they survive in sun or do they only like shade. The border they are in is north facing and they certainly seem really happy.