Helleborus foetidus Play pronunciation

The stinking hellebore is a rhizomatous, shade-loving, evergreen herbaceous perennial that blooms in late winter to early spring. It grows 1 to 2 feet tall and 1 to 1.5 feet wide, with dark green foliage and clusters of bell-shaped, nodding, greenish-white or chartreuse flowers. The flowers and leaves, when crushed or bruised, give off a smell that many describe as unpleasant or strange. This results in the common names such as stinking hellebore, dungwort, and stinkwort. The bear-foot leaf shape explains the common name bear's foot. The specific epithet foeditus means fetid, although the plant as a whole is not unpleasant-smelling. Stinking hellebore is native to Western Europe, Central Germany, Southern Italy, and Northern Morocco and is found in wooded areas and thickets. It is a member of the buttercup family (Ranunclaceae).

Best grown in partial to full shade and needs protection from cold winter winds. Prefers moist, well-drained, organically rich, alkaline soil. It is winter-hardy in zones from 5 to 9.  Once established, they are drought-tolerant and also deer-resistant. It is intolerant of bright winter sun and high temperatures.  Propagated by seeds and will require two years to bloom. Removing the spent flowering stems will promote new growth. 

The stems are erect, and the foliage is leathery, narrowly palmately divided with serrate margins. Borne on large terminal panicles, the chartreuse flowers have purplish edging and measure 1 inch or more wide. They bloom for many weeks from late winter to early spring.

Best utilized for borders or patios in protected, shady spots; excellent for long, winter-blooming display. 

Quick ID Hints:

• Flowers nodding, petaloid sepals
• Short plant with stiff, large, evergreen leaves 
• Leaves are palmately divided into many leaflets
• Flower center of numerous stamens outlined by tubular nectaries, or fleshy, beaked capsules

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Has no serious insect or disease problems. Monitor for leaf miners, snails, and aphids. May be susceptible to fungal diseases such as crown rot and leaf spot.  A virus known as hellebore black death can cause stunted, deformed growth and black streaks on the leaves. Infected plants should be removed and destroyed. This plant can spread through self-seeding. The plant life is 4 to 5 years. The NC Invasive Plant Council regards all hellebores as potentially invasive, although the threat is low.

If ingested, the plant can be toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and horses. Wear gloves and protective clothing when handling this plant due to the potential for skin irritation. 

More information on Helleborus.