overwintering hellebores in containers

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 do you do with hellebores in the winter?

I firmly believe that one of the most useful things you can do is to cut off last year's foliage at the end of the season as this prevents hellebore leaf spot disease being carried through the winter on the leaves and infecting the flowers.

When should I cut down hellebores?

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 leave perennials in pots over winter?

You can overwinter them by moving the pots into a cold frame or unheated garage for the winter after the first hard frost. Since all perennials require a period of dormancy or a cold treatment to bloom, don't overwinter them in a greenhouse or other warm place where they will not go dormant.

Do hellebores grow well 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.

Are hellebores toxic 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.

Do hellebores die down in summer?

Hellebores flower from December through to mid-spring, although the flowers may stay on the plants longer as they slowly fade, but still look attractive. ... Hellebores require little or no maintenance, but they do better if the old foliage is removed in late winter during January.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How do you keep potted geraniums over the winter?

Set the plants in a shady spot and let them dry for a few days. This will help avoid mold or mildew during storage. Store your geraniums through winter in a paper bag or cardboard box in a cool, dry location, at about 50 to 60 degrees F.

How do you keep potted plants alive in the winter?

Wrap pots in burlap, bubble wrap, old blankets or geotextile blankets. It isn't necessary to wrap the entire plant because it's the roots that need shielding. These protective coverings will help to trap heat and keep it at the root zone.

What do you do with potted annuals in the winter?

To overwinter your annuals indoors, one option is to dig up the entire plant before your first fall frost. Cut back the plant by about a third, and then plant it in a pot with fresh organic potting soil.

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.

Can I take cuttings from hellebores?

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. Divide hellebores that lose their leaves in summer just after they finish blooming.

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.

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.

Are hydrangeas poisonous to dogs?

According to the PetMD, hydrangeas are poisonous to cats and dogs, but a very large amount of hydrangea must be consumed by pets to become ill. Since symptoms are usually mild, cases often go unreported. Generally, if enough leaves, flowers or buds are eaten, an animal can suffer from diarrhea and vomiting.

Are Lenten roses toxic to dogs?

The lenten rose, like other Hellebores, can be moderately toxic if eaten in significant quantities. Although rarely fatal, ingesting large enough amounts of this plant can prove somewhat toxic.