How to grow Hellebore

Seed raised plants will flower in three to four years
Prefers sun, regular water, loamy soil, but tolerates shade, drought, poor soil. Needs no special care except a trim of the fading flowers if it starts looking ratty at the end of its bloom cycle and to prevent seed pods forming if not required.
Foliage can be removed in early winter to promote neater spring growth.

Easy from seed but may not come true to type as openly pollenated the petal colours may be unpredictable. This, of course, could be an advantage.
In the summer place three or four fresh seeds in a 7cm pot and grow in cool conditions Germination normally occurs in early spring after overwintering in a cold frame

Alternatively, mature plants can be divided in the late summer after flowering and the leaves have fed the crown.

Ensure a distance of 0.78 inches (2.0 cm) between seeds when sowing - look to sow at a depth of approximately 0.2 inches (0.5 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 10°C / 50°F to ensure good germination.

Pot on and plant out at the end of the summer into the flowering position. if the plants seem robust enough, alternatively continue growing under protection for a further year.

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Hellebore is a hardy plant.

Toxic!

Seed is best taken from the ripe seed pod and planted directly in mid summer.

These estimates for how long Hellebore takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

¹ Used by the Greeks to poison the water of their enemies.
Hellibores are poisonous if eaten and contact with the foliage may cause irritation

Lenten rose

Helleborus Niger

¹ “new york times article” http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/garden/21poison.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

² ASPCA-Christmas Rose

fn3 missouribotanicalgarden.org