Helleborus multifidus

<p><strong>The <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/helleborus-hellebore.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hellebore</a></strong><a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/helleborus-hellebore.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">,</a> sometimes spelled as Elleborus, <strong>is a perennial plant that stands out by offering a rich, colourful bloom in the heart of winter.</strong> The earliest varieties begin flowering in November, while the latest finish in April. The <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/helleborus-hellebore/hellebores-by-variety/hellebore-the-christmas-rose.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christmas Rose</a> (<em>Helleborus niger</em>), which bears beautiful white or sometimes pink-tinged flowers, is the most well-known species. There are also many varieties of <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/helleborus-hellebore/hellebores-by-variety/oriental-hellebore.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oriental Hellebores</a>, which produce flowers in varied colours, single or double. Discover also the <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/helleborus-hellebore/hellebore-a-to-z/helleborus-argutifolius.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Corsican Hellebore</a>, with its yellow-green flowers and striking serrated foliage, surprisingly resistant to sun and drought. </p> <p>Mysterious and fascinating, the Hellebore is a remarkable plant in more ways than one. <strong>It surprises us with its sometimes green or black flowers</strong>, which is quite rare among plants! Its life cycle seems reversed compared to other plants—it awakens in autumn or early winter, flowers, produces seeds, then goes dormant when summer arrives! Moreover, the colourful parts we assume to be petals are actually sepals, allowing them to last longer and take on rather unusual hues. </p> <p><strong>Naturally adapted to winter</strong>, <strong>this is a very hardy perennial, often tolerating temperatures as low as –15°C.</strong> It requires rich, moist but well-drained soil and thrives in partial shade. Planted at the base of deciduous trees or shrubs, it will bring a splash of colour and almost make us forget winter! <strong>It is decorative both for its flowers and its evergreen foliage.</strong> Once established, <em>Helleborus niger</em> and <em>orientalis</em> are exceptionally long-lived and disease-resistant—you’ll enjoy their blooms for many years to come! </p> <p><strong>Its flowers are used as cut flowers in bouquets</strong>, but unlike other cut flowers, they should be picked when fully open (after the nectaries have fallen).</p>