- Position: partial shade
- Soil: any moist, neutral to alkaline soil, including heavy soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: January to April
- Other features: all parts of the plant cause severe discomfort if ingested; the sap may cause skin irritation; dark greyish-green leaves give off an unpleasant odour when crushed
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Nodding, bell-shaped, pale green flowers with purple edges appear above clumps of deeply divided dark green leaves from January to April. Our native 'stinking hellebore' is aptly named as the leaves give off an unpleasant odour when crushed. This is an unusual, architectural plant for a shady border or woodland garden, or beneath deciduous shrubs, where its evergreen foliage can be shown off in autumn and winter.
- Garden care: Add lots of well-rotted leaf mould, compost or manure to the planting hole. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the plant and provide a top-dressing of general fertiliser each spring.
- Harmful if eaten/skin irritant