Helleborus lividus
From Majorca this is not hardy but grow some in a large pot or container and bring it into a frost free room or greenhouse keep it on the dry side and it will survive and flourish rewarding you with stunning variegated foliage and lovely sprays of metallic pink flowers throughout the winter and early spring.
Helleborus multifidus
A very variable species with flowers that are generally green but may be spotted, veined or contain purple/black.
At its best stunning.
Hardy.
Helleborus orientalis
The grand daddy of the garden hybrids. It is large flowered with broad leaves and rather vigorous.The flowers are at their best pure white but can be yellow green to white green.
Two sub species are known
H. o. Ssp abchasicus - has pink/purple flowers with varying degrees of spotting and H.o. Guttatus - a white flower with slight to heavy red spots. Alll very garden worthy and completely hardy.
Helleborus niger
The “Christmas rose”- a misnomer as it doesn’t flower for Christmas and is often later than the “lenten rose” Helleborus orientalis/ x hybridus.
It has a wide range of flower forms including double. The best of the species age pink to brick red so give double value in the garden.
Hardy and easy to grow the true species - just don’t let it get too wet.
Helleborus odorus
A green flowered species which is reputed to smell sweetly. I haven’t found one yet in the wild or cultivation that does but I have friends who claim they have.
Widespread throughout southern Europe it is nevertheless hardy.
Helleborus occidentalis
Finely divided foliage sets of the dainty small green nodding flowers. One form has white flowers but it is quite rare in cultivation.
Largely sunmmer deciduous. Hardy
Helleborus liguricus
From Italy this is a recently named species, separated from boccanei by Thomsen/Mclewin.
It is scented having a light “mahonia/lemon” smell in sunshine. The flowers are white to greenish white.
Two variants exist which flower at slightly different times. It is hardy and a good grower. Worth growing in the garden for a scent on sunny February-April days.
