Hellebore

• Position: partial shade
• Soil: heavy, neutral to alkaline soilRate of growth
• shadeSoil: heavy, neutral to alkaline soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: February to April
• Flower colour: chocolate
• Other features: all parts of the plant cause severe discomfort if ingested; the sap may cause skin irritation
• Hardiness: fully hardyThis recently introduced cultivar has already created a bit of a stir among gardening circles with its delicious-looking, chocolate-coloured flowers. These many-petalled, saucer-shaped blooms appear above the leathery, deep green leaves from February to April. This lenten rose creates a stunning ground cover for areas of dappled shade under deciduous trees and shrubs. Try mixing it with a lime green, spring-flowering Euphorbia for a stunning combination. Like all hellebores, they prefer a heavy, neutral to alkaline soil.A top tip from the Crocus crew is to cut back the old leaves down to the ground in January or February. This will show off the new emerging flowers to best effect and it also helps to get rid of foliar diseases such as Hellebore leaf spot.
• Garden care: Add lots of well-rotted leaf mould or organic matter to the planting hole. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the plant in autumn and provide a top-dressing of general fertiliser each spring.

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