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Helleborus (ancient name of H. orientalis, meaning unknown). Ranunculaceae. Hellebore. Hardy herbaceous perennials, admired for their very early flowers and also their attractive leaves.
Erect, with large palmately divided lvs., the basal long-petioled, the upper sessile and sometimes reduced to bracts: fls. large, white, greenish, red, purple, or yellowish; sepals 5, broad, petal-like, mainly persistent; petals small, tubular, furnished with claws; stamens many: carpels 3-10, sessile, forming leathery, many- seeded caps., dehiscent at the apex.—About 8 species, natives of Eu. and W. Asia. Monographs by J. G. Baker in G.C.II. 7:432 (1877) and by Thos. Moore in G.C. II. 11:431 (1879).
All the kinds will thrive in ordinary garden soil, but for the best results use a soil of rich loam and coarse sand, with a top-dressing of rotten manure. A moist, well-drained, partially shaded situation is preferable. The species may be planted in shrubbery borders, and in rockeries, or if wanted for cut-flowers they should be planted in beds. An important point is not to disturb the plants when once established, as they are very sensitive to frequent changes of location. All the species bloom before spring arrives; a few mild days in December or January will bring out the buds and flowers of H. niger varieties, and the others are not far behind. White hellebore is not of this genus: see Veratrum.
They are easily forced under glass. Strong plants should be taken up into large pots and gradually inured to a warm temperature. Blossoms may thus be brought forth at any time desired in winter. Propagation is best by division of roots in fall or spring. Gardeners prefer to divide the roots in late summer or fall, as this does not come at the flowering season. If seeds mature they will germinate well if planted immediately in boxes or in rich, open ground. Seedlings should bear flowers the third season.
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