Helleborus foetidus is an evergreen perennial ideally suited to semi shade and a deep moist soil where it will clump and colonise to flower impressively annually.

Although the flowers are not fully open it is the freshness that attracts the eye. Much needed on the cusp of lengthening days. The dominant flower part is the flat leaf like bract which is protecting the unopened bud.

The foliage when bruised emits a pungent smell which gives the plant its name. Deeply divided the finger like leaves are a dark background to the flowers.

Native to western and southern Europe. The seed of these plants were collected in the principality of Andorra at 2300 metres altitude.

Helleborus foetidus

Helleborus foetidus