Hellebore niger

Snow Maiden

Hi,I have recently bought 3 hellebore nigers ( Christmas rose) they are still in their pots and are kept either outside or in the unheated greenhouse (depending on the recent weather).

I am finding it a problem to know what should be done now with them.....have done lots of googling and read through my books, and am still non the wiser!

They are not big plants but have blooms (now fading) and plenty of buds, but I have noticed that some of the leaves are yellowing a bit.

My questions are, should they be planted out now in the garden, should the yellowing leaves be removed and lastly do I deadhead ?

         Please help, I have been reading up on it all day ( some conflicting advice too) and my poor brain has frazzled with all the info overload.

     I know I can get straight forward and clear advice from you guys ( don't know why I didn't seek out your help first!)

               Thanks in advance.

pansyface

I'd say deadhead them as they are small. No point in letting them make seeds as it will weaken them.

I'd say cut off the yellow leaves but keep the green ones as they will help to build up their strength.

I'd say definitely plant them out. But plant them exactly where you want them to be. They don't like being dug up and moved about.

Some people say plant them in semi shade, some say sun. I have them in both and there doesn't seem to be much difference.

Snow Maiden

Thanks pansyface, big help.

Can I pick your brain again please about best place to plant, I am in a dip and the wind tends to whip through all areas, must it be really sheltered ? and types of soil seem to vary a lot too. Some have said that clay soil is good with organic matter added to the planting hole, if so then I'm thinking of my clay based border as that has a hedge behind it that may add some shelter to them. All thoughts welcomed,  ta.

Snow Maiden

Hi Verdun, sorry didn't see your first post, thanks it was really helpful.

I think the hedge will provide shelter from the pm sun  and there are some evergreen shrubs that might serve as protection from really strong winds.

 Yay all my problems are solve thanks to you and pansy, thanks so much  xx

nutcutlet

Not easy here. 

I've rarely kept one more than 2, maybe 3, years and have only had one re-flowering.

My final try is just a few leaves this year.  

No more, the other species satisfy my hellebore needs

nutcutlet

I have a strain of white orientalis that flowers very early every year Verdun. I bought it in flower from a wayside stall years ago, in the autumn. It flowers any old time and has crossed with others which have also become disorientated in flowering time. Not too keen on summer flowering hellebores, doesn't seem right. But as long as I have plenty now I'll put up with it (or cut the flowers off if it really offends)