Helleborous Experts

Hi

How and when should I cut back my helleborous? I've never really mastered it that well! A green one that I have has new growth on it already but come January it will be long and leggy.

Maybe I should cut that new growth back now?

Any ideas gratefully received.

 

Hello Stingo.

With Hellebores, you should cut back all the foilage during late autumn, early winter,right down to soil level,then you will be able to see the new flowers as they emerge.

Though I cut mine down if they get overgrown,or if the leaves get old and ragged, at any time, with no ill effects so far!

Hellebores suffer from "black spot" which can be either black or brown marks on the foilage or stems, which if not seen to, soon disfigure the whole plant.
The affected stems and leaves need to be cut out immediately,as it soon spreads to other healthy leaves.
The other pest is green fly which infects the old flower heads, I usually always cut the flower stock right out soon after flowering,as they self seed everywhere, and the seedlings are seldom as pretty as their parents.

You need to spray with an insecticide for the green fly and a fungicide for the black spot, or if you can get it a combined spray will do for both.

They also appreciate a good application of garden compost or bark chippings.

Hope this is of help!

 

I tend to tidy them in jan just as the flowers are forming and simply cut the dead leaves off, other than that I dont do anything.

 

Me to same as Paul and so like to see even just the foilage without flowers .I only ever take the dead foliage off.