Helleborus viridis
| Helleborus viridis | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Winter-Mid Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Helleborus viridis (common name: green hellebore)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1][2]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible[1], it usually germinates in the autumn to spring. Seed can take 18 months to germinate. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. This species produces flowering plants in 2 - 3 years from seed[3].
Division after flowering or in autumn. Take care since the plant resents disturbance[4][3].
Cultivation: Cultivation of this plant is not always easy, it prefers a rich limy soil in partial shade[5]. One report says that the plant requires an alkaline soil[6]. Succeeds in any good garden soil[1], preferring a moist well-drained rich loam in a sheltered position in partial shade[1][7][8][4]. Succeeds when grown in the shade of a north-facing wall[9]. Does not object to lime[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils[3]. Dislikes drought.
Slugs are very fond of this plant and it will probably require some protection from them[5].
The various species in this genus hybridize freely[10].
Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their permanent positions whilst still small[3].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[11].
Range: Central and western Europe, including Britain.
Habitat: Woods, scrub and sunny banks on moist chalk and limestone soils[12][6][5].
Medicinal: The root is anthelmintic, cardiac, cathartic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, irritant, violently narcotic and a drastic purgative[7][12][13][14]. The dried root is used, it contains the alkaloids nervine, pseudo-nervine and veratridine[15]. It is best to harvest the root in the autumn[15].
The plant is useful for reducing blood pressure in various conditions of hypertension[15].
Usage: A decoction of the roots is used as a parasiticide against body lice, fleas etc[16][15]. This use is somewhat dangerous, see the notes above on toxicity.
Plants are suitable for ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way[17].
Pollinators: Bees, flies
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Spring-Early Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant are poisonous[12][18][19], this poison can possibly be absorbed through the skin[16].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Brown, George. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Saunders, Charles. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1976.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ Altmann, Horst. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus, 1980.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.