Helleborus argutifolius

Helleborus argutifolius, also known as Corsican Hellebore, is a Mediterranean species well adapted to hot and dry climates, perfect for bringing light to the edge of the undergrowth. Undoubtedly the largest of its genus, this Hellebore is a beautiful evergreen perennial, producing astonishing pistachio green flowers in dense leafy floral spikes during the winter. Hardy down to -12/-15°C (10.4/5°F), this slightly tender species is not afraid of competing with the roots of large trees and self-seeds where it pleases, in deep and loose soil, slowly colonizing deciduous or evergreen undergrowth.

Native to Corsica and Sardinia, Helleborus argutifolius is a perennial plant of the buttercup family that hybridizes very easily with other species such as Helleborus niger, the Christmas Rose, to give, through random sowings, hybrids called "Nigercors", both charming and particularly easy to cultivate. The Corsican Hellebore is a very robust plant, long-lived but moderately hardy, which tolerates summer drought well. In the Mediterranean area, it grows in the mountains in copse covering slopes and in ravines at high altitudes. It is capable, under favourable conditions, of reaching a height of 1.5m (5ft) or more. In cultivation, it typically forms a clump about 60cm (24in) high and 70cm (28in) wide. It is composed of leafy stems. The leaves, all cauline, are tough, palmate (resembling a bird's foot), divided into 3 lobes with toothed and spiny edges, of a dark green colour.

Between January and March, 10 to 30 single flowers measuring 3 to 5cm (1 to 2in) in diameter appear at the top of each stem. These are cup-shaped flowers, inclined downwards, whose sepals sometimes turn upside down at the end of flowering. Their colour varies from pistachio green to creamy white-green. If they are inclined downwards, allowing water to slide off like an umbrella, it is to protect the heart of the flower from rotting. Hellebores are a bushy plant. It does not like to be moved once established, with young plants sometimes taking 2 years to flower. The seeds, which are formed abundantly, are sown in April-May by ants. They germinate easily after the cold of the following winter.

Use Hellebores like elements of an ancient tapestry, mixing them with understorey plants in brighter colours. This Corsican Hellebore, a Mediterranean version of Christmas roses and Lenten roses, allows gardeners in dry and hot climates to adopt this species without fear of it dying of thirst. It can be planted in groups, like a bouquet, near the entrance of the house, in shaded areas, to enjoy its bright and early flowering up close. It is an excellent plant for illuminating a shaded area, for example at the edge of a grove or undergrowth, in the company of Euphorbia amygdaloides, Geranium macrorrhizum, Glechoma hederacea, Algerian Iris or small periwinkles, for example.