Strange Helleborus foetidus
By Spritzhenry
West Somerset, England
I have a number of these plants - I like them! Today I noticed that one of them is different. Could it be a hybrid - if so, how? Please can anyone explain why it's a different colour to the others?
On plant
Helleborus foetidus
- 26 Jan, 2009
Featured on:
hellebores
Answers
Rather pretty, isn't it!
26 Jan, 2009
It could be a sport Barbara, you will have to wait and see if it remains true. Cold weather conditions could have given one a different colour.
26 Jan, 2009
Even when there are others next to it?
26 Jan, 2009
Yes, the hot sun on the frost can cause green to go mauve, often with the plants at the front of the border.
26 Jan, 2009
It could also be a virus, but are you sure they are H. foetidus at all? The leaves look wrong, as do the buds for foetidus.
26 Jan, 2009
Yes - I only have that species (apart from H.niger and H.orientalis elsewhere in the garden). Next door doesn't have any, and the other side is a farm field. Birds wouldn't carry the seeds, would they??
26 Jan, 2009
You'll have to keep us posted on it's future development.
26 Jan, 2009
~looks lovely whatever it is!
26 Jan, 2009
Seeds are a bit too heavy for birds to carry. H. foetidus does not cross with either of those other two species, at least not naturally.
27 Jan, 2009
Hellebores are notoriously promiscuous and will cross fertilise with other types. I'd count myself very lucky to have such a gorgeous and unique plant.
27 Jan, 2009
Related photos
Related products
-
Helleborus Foetidus
£8.50 at Burncoose -
Helleborus Foetidus (Stinking Hellebore)
£8.99 at Crocus -
Helleborus Foetidus
£5.99 at Best 4 Plants
Don't have a clue, but if it is stable it does look interesting Barbara.
26 Jan, 2009