Marianne's Response
Sick Helleborus
Four years ago this two year old plant looked great and bloomed each February. Now it’s sick. And I think there are tunnels beneath it. What can I do to save it?
Posted by Thomas Nelson on November 15, 2017
Marianne's Response
Thank you for including an image of your sick hellebore plant as it really helps with the diagnosis. First thing to do is to cut back all the older, large leaves and stems as they look dark due to leaf blight. The smaller leaves in the center of the plant look clean and can be left. Next, if you suspect moles or voles set traps now and then try pushing the root ball back into the ground if tunnels have uplifted the plant. Hellebores have thick roots and can survive some tunneling if given time to regrow. Do not try to move or transplant your hellebore as they hate to be moved. In spring apply a slow release plant food like Osmocote around the base of your hellebore to help it regrow a new root system. Is that a wood chip mulch around the plant? Pull the mulch away from the crown of the plant to increase air circulation. The wood mulch may also be attracting voles or mice. Try a mulch of gravel around the base of each plant unless you have a hot and sunny site and the wood mulch is used to cool the soil. I think your plant will survive and flower this winter. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti
