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.

lividus and argutifolius (corsicus). There has been hot taxonomic debate concerning what was once all included under H. lividus. I am using Brian Mathew’s scheme. These are two very similar, leafy-stemmed plants growing 2-3’ tall. Both have large, conspicuously toothed, bluish green leaves. Both bear large clusters of 2" chartreuse blossoms. 10^oF or less.