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Corsican Hellebore Helleborus lividus subsp. corsicus

Previously known as:

  • Helleborus argutifolius
Phonetic Spelling
hel-eh-BORE-us LI-vid-us KOR-sik-us
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Hellelborus argutifolius is known for its large light yellow-green flowers in late winter/early spring but also for its evergreen foliage which is attractive year-round. Plants in colder regions should be well mulched and protected from winter winds. It prefers a well-drained or sandy soil but will tolerate clay if there is good drainage. It is drought tolerant when established. When grown in colder regions it should be protected from winter winds or foliage may be damaged.

Helleborus comes from the Greek 'helleboros' meaning 'poisonous food' and the specific derived from the Latin words 'argutus', meaning "sharp" , and 'folius' meaning "leafed",  describing the sharply toothed leaves.

It may have occasional problems with crown rot and leaf spot.

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

Blooms in late winter to very early spring; utilized for borders or patios in protected, shady spots; poisonous leaves and roots- Greek 'helein'= to injure and 'bora'= food; excellent for long, winter blooming display. 

Numerous hybrid selections and species available, often difficult to distinguished, misidentified in trade, and each callen lenten rose, a name historically associated with H. orientalis. 

Prefers partial to full shade; prefers organic-enriched soil; intolerant of bright winter sun and high temperatures; Fungal diseases are main problem.

 

More information on Helleborus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#drought tolerant#yellow-green#green flowers#shade garden#broadleaf evergreen#winter interest#spreading#deer resistant#long bloom time#leathery#clumping#fantz#partial shade tolerant#HS302#perennial#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#drought tolerant#yellow-green#green flowers#shade garden#broadleaf evergreen#winter interest#spreading#deer resistant#long bloom time#leathery#clumping#fantz#partial shade tolerant#HS302#perennial#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Helleborus
    Species:
    lividus
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Corse, Sardegna
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Spreading
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Clustered, green, fleshy capsules, long-beaked, surrounded by persistent sepals.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Many flowers, 5-parted, cup- or bowl-shaped, pale green. A stalked cyme or panicle, terminal, bracteated, often nodding; bracts gigantic, leaf-like, dark green, entire to sparsely toothed, +/- lobed. 1-many, usually greenish, tinted gold or brown, pink or purple, cup or bowl-shaped, nodding, 3-4" dia; sepals 5, showy, pigmented, broadly ovate-elliptic; inner petal segments numerous, consisting of tubular nectaries, green to greenish-yellow, ephemeral; stamens numerous, anther yellow.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, palmately divided with 3 leaflets. Basal or cauline, palmately compound, coriaceous, glabrous; petiloes elongate, peltate; leaflets 3-9, irregularly toothed or serrate.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stout, rhizomatous or exposed.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heavy Shade
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Possibly causing burning of mouth and throat, salivation, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nervous symptoms, depression.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Protoanemonin
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems