Marianne's Response
What Is the Key to Growing Hellebores?
I’ve tried with different varieties, but all just seem to wither and die. Everyone says they are easy to grow, so I’m quite mystified! I live in the central part of Kitsap County, where we receive a lot of precipitation. My soil was added over the hardpan we have to deal with here, and I worry that the soil may not drain as well as it should. Also, I’ve never used lime.
Posted by John McDonald on March 9, 2017
Marianne's Response
The key to your problem may be the hard pan soil you mention. Hellebores are tough perennials but they have thick, fleshy roots and need to be able to spread out in search of moisture and nutrients. The best hellebore advice I ever received was to dig a very large hole before planting. Excavate the soil two feet wide and at least 18 inches deep. Fill in with the native soil but amend with compost so that new roots will have an easy time spreading out. Do not plant too deep, do not divide hellebores and water during dry summer weather, especially the first year. Don\'t give up on hellebores as they are long lived plants that will bloom for years with little care once you get them established. Worth digging that hole. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti
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