Helleborus Species, Bear's Foot, Foetid Hellebore, Ox Heel, Stinking Hellebore, Stinkwort

I received as a gift a small potted specimen of this Hellebore which grew nearly 3 feet tall in sheltered half sun and bloomed spectacula...Read Morerly the following spring. The green tones of the blossoms followed by the attractive seedheads make this a winner in my book. Bloom was April in PA.

Stinking Hellebore will self sow to a noticeable degree and create a colony, near and far. I was able to share it with other gardeners who were appreciative. Some seedlings were moved to a more exposed location to grow on but winter winds desiccated the buds (failed to kill the plants, luckily.) When I stroke the foliage, I am reminded of coffee, a slight aroma, not overwhelming. Seedlings grow fast and look attractive with their dark green, lobed foliage.

The Bear's foot appearance of the drying seedheads yields its other common name.

Stately, beautiful and mysterious plant for the woodland garden. Blooms very early --often through the snow, would probably be happier ...Read Morein zone 6. Self-sows. Nice with other hellebores (it's taller and has more delicate leaves). A unique and beautiful plant.

Unusual looking plant for the person who wants a varied, rather tropical looking shade garden. Not really the kind of thing for a tradit...Read Moreional border. I like them -- they self-seed after a few years, and they grow in shade, between rocks, or enmeshed in tree roots, without any trouble.

I'll give this plant a neutral because it grew like a pro.... very easy.... looks lush and "perfect" with minimal care..... however its...Read More NOT MUCH TO LOOK AT....! ..... the evergreen leaves are nice (because they are evergreen!) but the flower are TOTALLY UNIMPRESSIVE...... small green things that don't stand out and hand down so you can hardly see them..... this may be nice used as a ground cover in "unwalked on" areas so that its foliage could provide winter green the the small green flowers would be a "bonus".... don't use as any sort of specimen..... as alone or used in such a manner it is very unimpressive.....
NOTE: this plant sap/juice/leaves bracts etc. can cause EXTREME DERMATITIS. It can lead to PAINFUL burning of the skin especially "open" areas. Even washing with soap and water only mildy numbs the pain. Use caution.

I got this plant from The Primrose Path in Scottdale PA, where it has naturalized in shady areas. It is doing well here in Cambridge MA. ...Read More The two-year-old plant set its flowers this fall, and I expect full bloom early next year. The foliage is lovely and evergreen. I understand that this plant's origin is Asia.

I have a very vigorous unnamed specimen of H.foetidus. It was put in the ground from a 1-qt size in September and started flowering in De...Read Morecember. That flower stalk lasted until April. The plant continued to expand vigorously and put up a second flower stalk which has just started to open up blooms (today is July 11th). This is my first experience with hellebores (I have three H. orientalis as well) here in coastal Northern CA/Sunset zone 17, and it looks like they are very consistent bloomers for well over half a year. With such attractive evergreen foliage I'm surprised they are not grown more often in gardens here.

The plant has very large flowers which appear in groups and hang downwards due to their weight. These flowers are pale green and remain t...Read Moreightly closed and are therefore not very noticeable.

Warning, though...all parts of this plant are poisonous. Possibly causing burning of mouth and throat, salivation, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nervous symptoms, depression.