PLANT OF THE MONTH

February 2022 — Hellebore

Common Name: Hellebore

Latin Name: Helleborus x hybridus

Family: Ranunculaceae

Type: Flowering Perennial

Origin: Europe and Asia

Location at Bloedel Reserve: Throughout the grounds

Garden Uses: Winter interest

Fun Facts: Hellebores are the true harbingers of spring. In the mid-1900s, Helen Ballard of England began crossing several species of Hellebores, which resulted in many different colors of flowers ranging from yellow to deep purple, as well as a variety of leaf shapes. The Genus name comes from the Greek word bora meaning “food”, and helein meaning “injury”. This is in reference to the plant’s toxicity if ingested.