Helleborus orientalis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hel-eh-BORE-us or-ee-en-TAH-liss
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Helleborus orientalis is easy to grow, requiring only a shady location and good, moist soil. They will do best where they receive winter sunlight but are protected from the wind. These beautiful harbingers of spring have interesting, nodding flowers and large, dark green leaves.
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Royal Heritage
wide range of colors - purple, pink, rose, light green with spotted or contrasting colors
- Royal Heritage
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Royal Heritage
wide range of colors - purple, pink, rose, light green with spotted or contrasting colors
- Royal Heritage
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Helleborus
- Species:
- orientalis
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia Minor, Eurasia (Turkey, Caucasus)
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
-
-
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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Beautiful harbingers of spring, with interesting, nodding solitary winter flowers, 2.5" wide and saucer shaped
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Denticulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leathery, shiny, dark-green leaves palmately divided with 7-9 leaflets, edged with shallow teeth
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Burning of mouth and throat, salivation, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nervous symptoms, depression; skin irritation after contact with cell sap
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Protoanemonin suspected
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
- Similar but less problematic plants:
-
Helleborus niger
- Helleborus orientalis is often confused with:
-
Helleborus x hybridus
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
-
Helleborus x hybridus
-
Helleborus foetidus
-
Helleborus argutifolius
