You should plant your potted hellebore into the ground as soon as possible. Dig a hole twice as deep and as wide as the rootball, as this perennial has very thick roots that will reach deep and wide so that the plant will need less water. Once the new leaves turn brown or black in the early winter, you can clip them off to better enjoy the winter blooms. Then, after the flowers, new foliage will appear to shade the roots all summer. Enjoy, Marianne Binetti