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Veratrum album (European white hellebore) flowers
Veratrum album (European white hellebore) in bloom
Veratrum album (European white hellebore) foliage

European white hellebore

Veratrum album

These are striking, yet rarely encountered plants that we are thrilled to offer! They are quite difficult to propagate and represent years of work. Despite difficulty with propagation, they are easy to grow, though flowering can take several years. Best grown in full sun to dappled shade on moist, rich soil.

European White Hellebore is a sculpture plant that can be found growing in hillside pastures, damp grasslands, and mountain creeks in Europe, East Asia, and Alaska. The pleated leaves resemble hostas, but are more elegant. The white and green flowers resemble those of hellebore but are held in multitude on tall spikes.

WARNING: This plant has a long history of medicinal use, but should not be toyed with. The roots are extremely toxic and have caused many deliberate and accidental deaths.

Distinctions: Winner of an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticulture Society

Zones: 4 to 7
Family: Melanthiaceae
Type: Perennial
Height: 36 to 48 in.
Spread: 30 to 42 in.
Exposure: Full Sun, part-shade
Soil Conditions: Average
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: greenish-white
Native Range: Europe and parts of western Asia

Special Characteristics
  • Rabbit resistant
image credits

Image 1 (blooms) Uoaei1, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image 2 (form) User:Tigerente, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image 3 (foliage)Daniel78, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Veratrum album (European white hellebore) flowers
Veratrum album (European white hellebore) in bloom
Veratrum album (European white hellebore) foliage