With all the warm weather this winter a perennial is blooming in my garden – the Hellebores foetidus. In fact, it started to bloom in December of 2015, unprecedented since I have been growing them. Usually they bloom late February, early March.
Helleborus foetidus is also known as stinking hellebore, bear’s foot, or dung wart. It has greenish yellow leaves with drooping green flowers. It tolerates dry shade, and prefers well-rotted leaf mould.
This wonderful architectural plant thrives in a woodland or shady garden, or under deciduous trees and shrubs. Cut back any foliage that is burnt from winter winds or temperatures.