Common Hellebore Diseases - How To Treat Sick Hellebore Plants

What's wrong with my hellebore?

Hellebore leaf spot is caused by the fungus Microsphaeropsis hellebori and is a common disease on many hellebore species. You are most likely to see infections when new plant growth is occurring from late winter until summer. It attacks most Helleborus spp. ... niger is particularly badly affected by leaf spot.

Why is my hellebore dying?

Flower stems may wil and die. It is caused by the fungus Microsphaeropsis hellebori. There are no fungicides specifically designed to treat Hellebore Black Spot but most plant fungicides will help control the problem.

How do you condition hellebores?

Tips for keeping them in the best shape include, keeping them in deep water, scoring the stems lightly so they take up more water, and keeping them cool but not cold (if you've seen hellebores in a garden after a frost, you'll know the fridge isn't the right place for them).

How do you treat aphids on hellebores?

Hellebore Pests and Diseases

If you notice aphids on your plants, first try washing them off with a hose. This usually does the trick. If not, import ladybugs or spray the aphids with nontoxic neem oil. Sometimes snails and slugs eat seedlings or new foliage.

Can Hellebores take full sun?

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.

Why are my hellebore leaves 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.

How poisonous are hellebores?

The leaves, stems, and roots of these plants are all poisonous. Although seldom fatal, your pet (or even your child) can become very ill if any part of the plant is ingested.

Do hellebores like sun?

Hellebores are typically woodland edge plants. They thrive in rich, moisture-retentive soil but struggle in boggy and wet conditions. Most will tolerate full sun to almost full shade.

Should hellebores be pruned?

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.

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.

Can hellebores be grown in pots?

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. ... The flowers tend to droop downward, so find an elevated position for your container grown hellebore so you can fully enjoy it.

What animal eats hellebores?

Slugs can eat holes in hellebore leaves. Pick these hellebore plant pests off at night. Alternatively, attract them with bait traps using beer or cornmeal. Vine weevils are also bugs that eat hellebores.

Will hellebores spread?

Do hellebores spread? Yes, hellebores will self-sow. However, allowing them to do so may result in unexpected hybrids if you grow multiple types in close proximity. Thin out any new seedlings that are too close to mature plants.

Do slugs like hellebores?

However I will recommend the evergreen hellebores such as Helleborus x ericsmithii and Helleborus argutifolius. These have tough foliage and tough flowers carried above the foliage in large clusters. These seem to be unpalatable to molluscs and they are carried well out of harm's way.

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.

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.

Where do hellebores grow best?

The Hellebores lenten rose types will grow almost anywhere, they are best in damp, well drained soil in dappled shade. If grown in sunnier conditions, the soil needs to be more moist. In sun, Helleborus x sternii and Helleborus odorus, the latter is a green variety, fragrant and both are slightly tender.

Do Lenten roses like sun or shade?

Lenten rose does best in partial to full sun and well-drained, humus-rich and fertile garden soil. In the Midwest they will grow well in sun, but in more southern locations require some shade. They are relatively drought tolerant once established but do best with consistent moisture.

Do hellebores die back in winter?

Even though Hellebore is considered a late winter and early spring blooming plant, it is evergreen all year round, so I find myself pruning hellebores in summer months, too!

Why do hellebore flowers turn green?

Green hellebore plants and flowers are actually in the later stages of their life cycles; they turn green as they age. ... In hellebores, they are known as petaloid sepals because they resemble petals. By turning green, it may be that these sepals allow the hellebore to conduct more photosynthesis.