The nodding blooms of this winter-flowering perennial grace the Woodland Garden.
A member of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), this species is one of 15, which occur in central eastern and southern Europe, and western Asia, in scrub, woodland, rocky and grassy habitats. Most species prefer neutral to alkaline conditions, though this one does well in most situations given light shade. A native of Greece and Turkey Helleborus orientalis has deeply divided, leathery foliage which over-winters. In winter stout, branch stems emerge to display cymes of 5-tepalled, saucer-shaped flowers, each with numerous prominent stamens. The true species of H. orientalis has white or green-cream flowers, which fade to pink, but there are subspecies with other colourings ranging from red-purple to cream with purple specks. H. orientalis is a very promiscuous species and there are numerous colour and shape variations, and plant breeders are seeking to produce forms with taller flower stems, purer colourings, double blooms and upward-facing flowers.