Hellebore Care
Helleborus spp.
Evergreen shade plants that flower in winter and spring; they have rhizomatous roots, not bulbs. To get through Izmir's hot summers they need full shade and rich soil kept constantly moist all summer.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Not required, natural rainfall is sufficient.
- Pruning: When flower buds begin to appear, cut old and worn leaves at the base to make the flowers show better and to remove potential diseases.
- General care: Clear weeds.
- Pests & diseases: Destroy old leaves with leaf spot (black spots). Frost protection is not needed.
- Watering: Not needed; rainfall is usually sufficient.
- Pruning: If it has not been pruned yet, cut off the old leaves. You can remove faded flowers.
- Plant protection: If aphids appear on the flowers, clean them off by spraying water or with neem oil.
- General care: Enjoy the flowers.
- Pests & diseases: Check for aphids.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, 5-7 L/m² once a week.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
- Pruning: Remove spent flowers.
- Plant protection: Continue monitoring for aphids.
- General care: New leaves grow rapidly.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- Fertilizing: If the lawn was not fertilized at the start of the month, do it now.
- Pruning: Cut off the last flower stalks as well.
- General care: To preserve soil moisture, apply mulch (bark, pine needles).
- Pests & diseases: Check the leaves for fungal leaf spot diseases and ensure good air circulation.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: Make sure it is in the shade and the soil stays moist.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for signs of water stress (wilting).
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for heat stress.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: Continue providing consistent moisture.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: This is the best time to propagate by division or to plant new plants.
- Pests & diseases: Fungal diseases may start with the autumn rains; check for leaf spot.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- General care: Clear the surrounding area of fallen tree leaves or leave them as mulch.
- Pests & diseases: Watch out for leaf spot (black spot) disease.
- Watering: Not required, natural rainfall is sufficient.
- General care: Flower buds begin to form just beneath the soil.
- Pruning: Old leaves begin to wear out. Wait until January for pruning.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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