care of hellebores in pots

Growing hellebores in containers Use a good quality compost, preferably loam- based, such as John Innes No 2 with extra grit for drainage. Stand the container on pot feet. They are hungry plants and will need regular watering and feeding, with a high potash fertiliser such as Chempak No 4, in summer.

How do you care for potted hellebores?

You can keep it potted until you're ready to put it in the ground outside, or you can keep it potted and enjoy it indoors and out, year round. Hellebore needs rich and well-drained soil, so be sure to choose a pot that drains and use a rich organic potting soil or add compost to existing soil.

Do you cut back hellebores?

Hellebores require little or no maintenance, but they do better if the old foliage is removed in late winter during January. Removal of most or all of the foliage serves several purposes. First, it displays the flowers at their best, leaving just the new young foliage coming through.

Do hellebores need sun or shade?

Hellebores are hardy in Zones 6 to 9. They tolerate almost full sun to almost full shade but prefer partial shade. Dense shade may reduce flower production. Generally, they enjoy slightly neutral to acidic soils.

Do hellebores die off in summer?

Hellebore care tips:

The leathery foliage of hellebore flowers looks best when sheared in late winter just before new growth emerges. ... You can ease up during the summer because heat causes hellebores to go dormant.

Do hellebores bloom all summer?

Hellebores have a usual bloom time (winter and spring), but they can sometimes be found for sale, in full bloom, during the summer. This means that the plants have been forced to bloom out of their usual schedule, and they aren't likely to bloom again in the winter.

Should hellebores be cut back after flowering?

The best time for pruning a hellebore plant is late winter or early spring, just as soon as the new growth begins to appear. This new growth should come straight up out of the ground as little stalks. These stalks should still be surrounded by a ring of last year's big leaves.

Why are hellebores so expensive?

Hybrid hellebores are expensive to purchase (about $17 for a one-gallon pot) because it takes three to five years for them to bloom, and growers generally only sell blooming plants. ... Unlike other perennials, hellebores are long-lived plants that do not need to be divided to remain vigorous.

Why do hellebore leaves turn brown?

Hellebore leaf spot is a common fungal disease of many hellebore species. It infects leaves and stems giving rise to roundish, dead, brown spots.

What do I feed my hellebores?

Feeding hellebores

They are greedy feeders so give them a yearly feed in September with a slow-release fertiliser (such as Vitax Q4 ) or surround with well-rotted manure.

What is the best fertilizer for hellebores?

Do not fertilize hellebores, but top-dress them with compost once a year. In cold regions, provide a winter mulch, which should be pulled back before they bloom. The old or damaged foliage of evergreen hellebores can be cut away in early winter.

Are hellebores invasive?

The hellebore is a small evergreen perennial that blooms during the winter months and into spring, usually starting as early as late January. The clumps expand slowly by rhizomatous roots but are not invasive.

Is hellebore poisonous to dogs?

Hellebore (Helleborus spp.), a member of the buttercup family, is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Thankfully, its foul taste often prevents them from eating it in large quantities. Even the name of the genus refers to its toxicity.

How long do hellebore flowers last?

The Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) can bloom in December in zone 7 or warmer but rarely blooms until spring in colder climates. Most species can be counted on to bloom somewhere between December and April and stay in bloom for a month or longer.

Why are my hellebore drooping?

Hellebore plants are 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall so the flowers are close to the ground drooping down on a 45 degree angle for an extended bloom cycle. Flowers droop as a survival mechanism to snow, sleet and rain. The weather in winter and early spring is not conducive to pollination by insects.

How often should I water hellebores?

Water sparingly, but do not let the plant get so dry that it wilts. Allow the soil to dry just somewhat between waterings, and avoid wetting the leaves.

How big do hellebores get?

Hellebore

genus name	Helleborus
plant type	Perennial
height	1 to 3 feet 3 to 8 feet
width	1-3 feet wide
flower color	Green White Pink

What conditions do hellebores like?

Hellebores are easy to grow providing a few simple guidelines are followed. They prefer a rich soil with plenty of available moisture during their flowering period, but they also require excellent drainage: they are after all 'snow-melt' plants and, if you can grow them on a slope, they will naturally be well drained.

Why are the leaves on my hellebore turning yellow?

Every year as the plants begin to put on new foliage they can undergo a transient nutrient deficiency which is displayed as yellowing of the leaves. ... This is not to be confused with the yellow foliage on the yellow flowering plants like the O'Byrne's Helleborus x hybridus Golden Lotus or Golden Sunrise strain.

When should I buy hellebores?

You can buy flowering plants ready for planting from late autumn in 9cm (3½in) or larger containers. It is best to avoid planting during the dry summer months.

Do hellebores bloom the first year?

Some hellebore varieties bloom later than others. This picture was taken the first of February, and the plants are just starting to bloom. The blooms on these hellebores can last until May. Whether crops are spring or fall planted, pot them as early as possible in the season.