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Helleborus hercegovinus
Mature leaves of Helleborus hercegovinus have narrower leaflets (less than
one quarter inch) than other species and frequently are divided into 60-100 or
more segments. The yellowish-green or pale green flowers are produced
rather sporadically by hellebore standards, but do look nice against the young
foliage in spring. Certainly, these plants are morphologically somewhat
unique and valuable simply as foliage plants, but they also provide exciting
possibilities for hybridization.
The range of H. hercegovinus is restricted to southern Herzegovina and
western Montenegro. It grows not far`from the Adriatic coast but typically in
mountainous environments and not on the coast itself. The plant has a more
southern distribution than H. multifidus with which H. hercegovinus has
sometimes been lumped. It also seems to be geographically isolated from
other Balkan species, mostly south and west of H. torquatus, for example.
Seeds of H. hercegovinus have been occasionally available for some time, but
it is still rarely seen in gardens or nursery catalogs. It is often one of the slower
growing hellebores, and some patience is required to appreciate its full
magnificence. It should be given a good amount of sun for best performance.
They are not difficult plants to grow.
Young seedlings sometimes are not noticeably different from other
hellebores, but as the plants age, their extremely multifid character begins to
take shape. H. hercegovinus is potentially a bit less hardy than some other
Balkan species due to its southern distribution and a slightly 'more
Mediterranean' climate, but they are still hardy plants worth including in most
any program or garden. Seedlings have shown no sign of trouble in gardens
in zone USDA 6-7.
Below are wild plants in Montenegro and Hercegovina (BiH). Photos by
Joseph Woodard.
_________________________
Copyright hellebores.org
- Perennial, pubescent; 8-12" in flower
- Leaves basal, heavily dissected into 45 to 100 or more leaf divisions
- Flowers green to yellow-green, 1.5-2" in diameter
- Montenegro, Herzegovina
- Woodland, scrub, open areas to 4800'
Mature leaves of Helleborus hercegovinus have narrower leaflets (less than
one quarter inch) than other species and frequently are divided into 60-100 or
more segments. The yellowish-green or pale green flowers are produced
rather sporadically by hellebore standards, but do look nice against the young
foliage in spring. Certainly, these plants are morphologically somewhat
unique and valuable simply as foliage plants, but they also provide exciting
possibilities for hybridization.
The range of H. hercegovinus is restricted to southern Herzegovina and
western Montenegro. It grows not far`from the Adriatic coast but typically in
mountainous environments and not on the coast itself. The plant has a more
southern distribution than H. multifidus with which H. hercegovinus has
sometimes been lumped. It also seems to be geographically isolated from
other Balkan species, mostly south and west of H. torquatus, for example.
Seeds of H. hercegovinus have been occasionally available for some time, but
it is still rarely seen in gardens or nursery catalogs. It is often one of the slower
growing hellebores, and some patience is required to appreciate its full
magnificence. It should be given a good amount of sun for best performance.
They are not difficult plants to grow.
Young seedlings sometimes are not noticeably different from other
hellebores, but as the plants age, their extremely multifid character begins to
take shape. H. hercegovinus is potentially a bit less hardy than some other
Balkan species due to its southern distribution and a slightly 'more
Mediterranean' climate, but they are still hardy plants worth including in most
any program or garden. Seedlings have shown no sign of trouble in gardens
in zone USDA 6-7.
Below are wild plants in Montenegro and Hercegovina (BiH). Photos by
Joseph Woodard.
_________________________
Copyright hellebores.org
An exquisite plant exhibiting the mature
foliage of H. hercegovinus. Photo by
Matthias Thomsen in his garden.
foliage of H. hercegovinus. Photo by
Matthias Thomsen in his garden.
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A wild plant in Montenegro showing the
dark early foliage that is common in H.
hercegovinus. Photo by Joseph Woodard.
dark early foliage that is common in H.
hercegovinus. Photo by Joseph Woodard.
Fairly typical habitat in open rocky
scrubland. Photo by Joseph Woodard.
scrubland. Photo by Joseph Woodard.
