7 hellebores with green flowers

The green oriental hellebore, a safe bet

The oriental hellebore ‘Green’, native from north-west Turkey to the Caucasus and north-east Greece, is a perennial plant ideal for brightening shady areas of the garden in winter. From January to March, it produces single cup-shaped flowers, 5 to 7 cm in diameter. Its flowers, green in colour speckled with burgundy spots, remain decorative for a long time, drying rather than wilting. With evergreen foliage 30 to 40 cm long, dark green and delicately dentate, this hardy plant withstands temperatures down to −15 °C. At maturity, the green oriental hellebore reaches 40 cm in height and spreads to 30 cm. This bushy plant is suitable both for cut flower arrangements and for beds, borders or containers.

In a bed or a pot, pair the green oriental hellebore with other white or purple hellebores, such as the oriental hellebore ‘ViV Fiorentina’ and the hybrid hellebore ‘Paradenia’. You will achieve a beautiful flowering display for winter.

Corsican hellebore - Helleborus argutifolius, one of the largest hellebores

The Corsican hellebore, also called Helleborus argutifolius, is one of the largest hellebores. It reaches a height of 60 cm and produces, from January to March, pistachio-green flowers grouped in clusters in a setting of dark green leaves. The flowers open as single cup-shaped blooms and are nodding, allowing water to run off their petals to prevent the centre of the flower from rotting. The foliage is leathery, palmate and evergreen. This perennial plant, hardy down to −12 to −15 °C, thrives in deep, loose soil, sheltered by trees. It adapts well to a dry, warm Mediterranean-type climate.

Perfect for brightening a shady area of the garden, it pairs well with Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’ and Geranium macrorrhizum.

Hellebore sternii 'Remi' - Helleborus (x) sternii, green flowers striped with pink

The hellebore (x) sternii ‘Remi’ is a young perennial plant resulting from the cross-breeding between the Corsican hellebore (Helleborus argutifolius) and the livid hellebore (Helleborus lividus) from the island of Majorca. This hybrid produces dense, compact growth reaching 30 cm high by 25 cm wide, with dark brown stems that give it a distinctive look. The terminal clusters of flowers bloom from February to April, showing green shades streaked with pale pink. Its leathery, evergreen leaves, dark green and finely divided, add further appeal. Unlike Oriental hellebores, the hellebore (x) sternii ‘Remi’ thrives in full sun, tolerating partial shade in warm regions. It adapts to any well-drained soil, even stony and calcareous. Very hardy, it withstands cold, dry winters well, although it dislikes stagnant water in winter.

Plant it in a rockery, on a slope, in a border and pair it with heucheras with colourful decorative foliage, as well as botanical tulips, ornamental alliums and ornamental grasses to create a romantic atmosphere.

The hellébore foetidus - stinking hellebore, a large plant 80 cm tall

Another reliable choice, the stinking hellebore or Helleborus foetidus is a perennial plant 80 cm tall at ripeness. Initially erect when flowering begins, it gradually leans over as time passes. Also known as “griffin’s foot”, it produces from January to April small pale green, bell-shaped flowers edged with purple. These flowers are notable for the numerous stamens that protrude from the petals. They attract pollinators and are borne on sturdy stems that are leafless at the collar but dense at the inflorescence. The foliage is evergreen, dark green and arranged horizontally around the stem. The leaves are divided into narrow, lanceolate lobes. When crushed, they emit an unpleasant odour. This plant is very hardy and withstands temperatures down to -23 °C.

You can plant it in sun or partial shade alongside euphorbias and white or pink hellebores that are more compact than it.

The nigercors hellebore 'Snow Love', a compact plant

The Hellebore nigercors ‘Snow Love’ stands out for its large flowers measuring 7 to 10 cm in diameter and pale green in colour, contrasting with dark green foliage, leathery and palmate. It was born from the hybridization of Helleborus niger (the Christmas Rose) and Helleborus argutifolius (the Corsican hellebore). This hybrid is sterile and flowers from January to March and is hardy down to −20 °C. Compact, it reaches 30 cm in height with a spread of 45 cm. It is planted in shade or partial shade.

In a border, pair it with ferns and the Lamium maculatum ‘Beacon Silver’.

Double pistachio-green Oriental hellebore, with a waterlily look

With its double flowers, the pistachio-green double oriental hellebore offers a flowering that evokes small water lilies. The 5 cm diameter flowers display a fresh pistachio-green colour and make their appearance between February and April, announcing the arrival of spring. This robust and very hardy perennial plant enlivens borders, beds, mixed borders and pots with elegance. 40 cm tall, it is easy to grow and prefers shaded or part-shaded positions and fresh soil.

In a bed or a pot, pair it with snowdrops and primroses.

Stern's hellebore - Stern's hellebore, chartreuse-green flowers

The Stern hellebore, or Helleborus sternii, is characterised by its clusters of chartreuse-green flowers and its striking dark green foliage marbled with white and beautifully dentate. It forms a leafy clump 40 cm high and flowers from February to April. Plant in full sun; hardy to −15°C. It establishes in free-draining, permeable soil and tolerates stony and calcareous soils.

In a rockery or a romantic-style garden, plant it alongside tulips and grasses.

For further information

Discover our complete range of hellebores, as well as our comprehensive factsheet on the cultivation and planting of hellebores.