HELLEBORUS. Hellebore. Southern Europe, Western Asia. The hellebores are showy, undemanding perennials for California gardens. They have large, leathery leaves on long stalks, divided hand-like into several leaflets. Their flowers are presented in branched, sometimes massive clusters above the foliage in early spring, often lasting on the plants for two months or more. They are usually large, cupped and colored various shades of maroon or green to nearly white. All parts of the plants are seriously toxic, and some people have problems even handling them. Wear gloves! For some reason, this toxicity doesn’t prevent snails from disfiguring the leaves from time to time, or thrips from attacking the new growth and flowers. Part shade, reasonably well drained soil, and moderate watering are preferable. Most will tolerate some drought when established. Hardy to 0^oF. or less, except as shown.

foetidus. Arguably the showiest of the green flowered hellebores. It grows about 2’ tall, with erect, leafy stems. Each leaf is divided into 7 or more very narrow, dark green leaflets. The branched flower clusters carry many cupped 1" blossoms which are colored pale green, usually with maroon edging.

‘White Magic’. For those who long to grow the Christmas rose, H. niger, but have found it too temperamental or even unavailable, this beautiful seed strain offers fresh hope. It appears to be a hybrid between H. niger and H. orientalis, above. It is lower growing than H. orientalis, has greyer leaves and shorter flower stems, but it is just as prolific and floriferous as that species. The flowers are about 3” across, opening nearly flat, and pure white in color.