Marianne's Response

Hellebore with black spots

Had been thriving in this spot for years but developed black spots on leaves. Why and how should I treat?

Posted by Dorothy Hudson on January 18, 2023

Marianne's Response

Thank you for the image of the black spot on your hellebore. This is  common fungal infection of hellebores and easy to control. Just snip off all the old foliage now white it is winter. The new growth will most likely be disease free. Each winter you should make an effort to get snippy with your hellebore plants to not only keep them from spreading disease from old leaves but also to better be able to see the new buds and blooms as they flower.  Clip the foliage and the stem as close to ground level as you can. Remove all the cut foliage and consider laying a fresh layer of bark chips around the base of each newly pruned hellebore to keep any fallen disease spores from splashing back up onto the newest leaves that will emerge after the flowers. Good drainage and good air circulation are also important for keeping these leaf blights at bay. If you notice flowers with dark spots you can remove those as well.  Keep growing, Marianne Binetti