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Helleborus hercegovinus Perennial, pubescent; 8-12" in flower Leaves basal, heavily dissected into 45-100 or more leaf divisions Flowers green to yellow-green, 1.5-2" in diameter Montenegro, Hercegovina Woodland, scrub, open areas to 4800' Mature leaves 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 Helleborus 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 generally 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 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.

H. abruzzicus H. argutifolius H. atrorubens H. bocconei H. croaticus H. cyclophyllus H. dumetorum H. foetidus H. istriacus H. liguricus H. lividus H. multifidus H. niger H. occidentalis H. odorus H. orientalis H. purpurascens H. thibetanus H. torquatus H. vesicarius H. viridis 'New' Hellebores

An exquisite plant exhibiting the mature foliage of H. hercegovinus. Photo by Matthias Thomsen in his garden. (click to enlarge)