how to repot hellebores

Repot white hellebore when you see roots at the soil surface or coming out the drainage holes. Wait till spring to repot -- never while it's blooming. Use a pot with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil. You can cover a plain nursery pot by dropping it into a cachepot -- a decorative container without drainage holes.

How do you transplant hellebores?

Transplanting a Hellebore

Dig up the whole plant, wash off the soil and use a clean, sterile, sharp knife to cut the root mass into 2 or 3 sections. Each little transplant should then be installed in well worked soil with plenty of organic matter in a partially shaded location.

How do you look after hellebores in pots?

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.

What soil is best for hellebores?

Hellebores thrive in evenly-moist soil, so improve your planting area (not just the planting hole) by digging in organic soil improver such as garden compost or a manure-based soil conditioner.

When can you replant hellebores?

This means most Hellebores can be divided in mid to late spring, and if you are not sure what type of Hellebore you have, divide it after flowering later in the spring. To divide, lift the clump, retaining as much root as possible, cut into largish pieces about 15cmc each (6") and replant, watering well.

Do hellebores like 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.

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 is the best place to plant hellebores?

PLANTING & CARING FOR HELLEBORES

Tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions, hybrid hellebores perform best when sited in partial shade in rich, moist, but well-draining soil. Hellebores are quite easy to grow, and since they are perennials, will continue to bloom for a number of years.

What do I feed hellebores?

I feed my plants in early spring, and again in August/September when the new flower buds are being initiated. Lime often frees up nutrients, so I tend to use spent mushroom compost which contains some lime. Take care not to mulch into the crown of the plant as it can cause the buds to rot.

What kind of fertilizer do hellebores like?

Despite what most growers think, hellebores need a steady feed throughout the growing cycle with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 to 1.5. A slow release, eight- to nine-month fertilizer is recommended for spring planting.

Should hellebores be cut back?

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.

Can you root hellebores from cuttings?

If you wish to propagate hellebores yourself, the easiest way is by dividing them. They respond well and the new plants will look just like the originals. Divide evergreen hellebores in late fall, before they sprout new leaves.

Can you move hellebores in flower?

I have just been moving hellebores. Many growers do not consider this the optimal time for this job (which is early autumn), but it suits me. Moving plants around when they are in flower saves you having to rely on a dodgy memory: you see exactly where you want them and how they will look.

Do hellebores multiply?

A hellebore will yield from two to as many as 10 divided plants. You should plant the divided plants immediately, making sure the roots do not dry out. Plant them in well- prepared soil with good drainage. ... Firm the soil around the plant and water to avoid air pockets around the roots.

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.

How do you care for hellebores?

Grow hellebores in fertile, well-drained soil at the front of a border, beneath shrubs or in pots, in sun to partial shade. Cut back the large leathery leaves when flowers and new foliage emerge and mulch plants annually with well-rotted compost or manure. Avoid transplanting hellebores after they have established.

How do you care for fresh cut 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).

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 tall 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 do hellebores look like?

Hellebore foliage is evergreen and forms a low clump with leaves that are lobed and palm-like. The flowers resemble roses in shape. Flower stems shoot up above the foliage but nod under the weight of the flowers, which tend to bloom face down.