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
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The easiest species of Helleborus to grow, requiring only a shady location and good, moist soil; beautiful harbingers of spring, with interesting, nodding flowers and large, dark green leaves; this plant is resistant to damage by deer.
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.
- Cultivars:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Helleborus
- Species:
- orientalis
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia Minor, Eurasia
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer resistant
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- 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
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leathery, shiny, dark-green leaves palmately divided with 7-9 leaflets, edged with shallow teeth
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
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Poison:
- 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
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
-
Ajuga reptans
-
Hepatica americana
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Phlox subulata
