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Helleborus atrorubens, Waldstein & Kitaibel (1812)
Helleborus atrorubens occurs in a rather limited area in southeast Slovenia
and adjacent Croatia west of Zagreb. The sepals may be light green to dark
violet, or nearly any combination of the two. Often the backs of the sepals are
reddish-violet and the interior of the flower green with violet tinges and/or
markings. Recently, plants with veining and spotting in the flowers have been
described. It is not a large plant but has a well-formed, stocky appearance
when in full leaf.
The leaves and bracts may have dark coloration, particularly when young. The
foliage is bold and leaflets are serrated on the margins, usually more toward
the tips. Though not particularly common in gardens, H. atrorubens is, at its
best, a plant of horticultural merit.
In much of its range, H. atrorubens grows close to Helleborus dumetorum (of
which it was formerly considered a subspecies). It may also closely resemble
Helleborus croaticus, though in the latter the young foliage is usually hairy
underneath and in H. atrorubens (and Helleborus torquatus) young foliage is
mostly glabrous. H. croaticus is usually a larger plant, and the geographic
distribution of the three 'dark-flowered species' differs.
Like many species, H. atrorubens can seem a bit slow to form large plants. In
order for plants to mature quickly, it is important to give them plenty of light.
Plants in the open are typically larger, clump more densely, and flower more
profusely than those grown in shade. I have plants that are completely healthy
in deciduous shade, but they produce far fewer flower stalks than other
examples even younger in age. H. atrorubens produces flowers well before
the foliage and has a habit of producing long peduncles which gives it an 'airy'
appearance when in flower. The leaves do not over winter. Removing the old
foliage in the garden certainly does no harm. As with any acaulescent
hellebore in the group Helleborastrum, H. atrorubens is believed to freely
hybridize with other acaulescent species and hybrids. Overall, H. atrorubens is
a very underused and underrated garden plant.
Further reading:
Mathew and McLewin. "Hellebores: 3. Helleborus atrorubens: the problem of
speciation in acaulescent hellebores". The New Plantsman. Volume 3, Part 3,
September 1996. 170-177.
The photos in the gallery below were taken in Croatia west of Zagreb.
________________________
Copyright hellebores.org
- Perennial, glabrous; 10-14" in flower
- Leaves basal, pedate; 7-11 segments, central leaflet often undivided
- Flowers green to dark violet, 1.5-2" in diameter
- Slovenia, N. Croatia
- Woodland edge, open areas, hillsides to 4500 feet
Helleborus atrorubens occurs in a rather limited area in southeast Slovenia
and adjacent Croatia west of Zagreb. The sepals may be light green to dark
violet, or nearly any combination of the two. Often the backs of the sepals are
reddish-violet and the interior of the flower green with violet tinges and/or
markings. Recently, plants with veining and spotting in the flowers have been
described. It is not a large plant but has a well-formed, stocky appearance
when in full leaf.
The leaves and bracts may have dark coloration, particularly when young. The
foliage is bold and leaflets are serrated on the margins, usually more toward
the tips. Though not particularly common in gardens, H. atrorubens is, at its
best, a plant of horticultural merit.
In much of its range, H. atrorubens grows close to Helleborus dumetorum (of
which it was formerly considered a subspecies). It may also closely resemble
Helleborus croaticus, though in the latter the young foliage is usually hairy
underneath and in H. atrorubens (and Helleborus torquatus) young foliage is
mostly glabrous. H. croaticus is usually a larger plant, and the geographic
distribution of the three 'dark-flowered species' differs.
Like many species, H. atrorubens can seem a bit slow to form large plants. In
order for plants to mature quickly, it is important to give them plenty of light.
Plants in the open are typically larger, clump more densely, and flower more
profusely than those grown in shade. I have plants that are completely healthy
in deciduous shade, but they produce far fewer flower stalks than other
examples even younger in age. H. atrorubens produces flowers well before
the foliage and has a habit of producing long peduncles which gives it an 'airy'
appearance when in flower. The leaves do not over winter. Removing the old
foliage in the garden certainly does no harm. As with any acaulescent
hellebore in the group Helleborastrum, H. atrorubens is believed to freely
hybridize with other acaulescent species and hybrids. Overall, H. atrorubens is
a very underused and underrated garden plant.
Further reading:
Mathew and McLewin. "Hellebores: 3. Helleborus atrorubens: the problem of
speciation in acaulescent hellebores". The New Plantsman. Volume 3, Part 3,
September 1996. 170-177.
The photos in the gallery below were taken in Croatia west of Zagreb.
________________________
Copyright hellebores.org
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