Helleborus Species, Bear's Foot, Foetid Hellebore, Ox Heel, Stinking Hellebore, Stinkwort
Helleborus foetidus
Family: | Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Helleborus (hel-eh-BORE-us) (Info) |
Species: | foetidus (FET-uh-dus) (Info) |

Category:
Perennials
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Light Shade
Partial to Full Shade
Full Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Textured
Foliage Color:
Height:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Danger:
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
Chartreuse (yellow-green)
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From herbaceous stem cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Oakland, California
Sacramento, California
Vallejo, California
Townsend, Delaware
Buford, Georgia
Gary, Indiana
Fallston, Maryland
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts
Grand Marais, Michigan
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Hudson, New York
New York City, New York
Panama, New York
Cary, North Carolina
Davidson, North Carolina
Greenville, North Carolina
New Bern, North Carolina
Weaverville, North Carolina
Enid, Oklahoma
Eugene, Oregon
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Barto, Pennsylvania
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
Charlottesville, Virginia
Leesburg, Virginia
Arlington, Washington
Arlington Heights, Washington
Bellevue, Washington
Kalama, Washington
Olympia, Washington
Oso, Washington
Port Townsend, Washington(2 reports)
Smokey Point, Washington
South Prairie, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Jun 17, 2019, outdoorlover from Enid, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: This plant grows very well in Enid, Oklahoma, which is zone 7a. It has made lots of babies the last couple of years and it is only 4 years old. Lovely large greenish yellow flowers in the early spring and large lobed leaves. It does not self seed in an invasive manner. |
Positive | On May 18, 2016, lfunnyfarm from Buford, GA (Zone 8a) wrote: Helleborus foetidus grows quite well in North Georgia. Put it in at least partial shade for texture, winter greenery, and greenish-white flowers. |
Positive | On Feb 6, 2016, Ancolie88 from Innsbruck, This one is very unusual here in Austria and it blooms the whole winter long. Bees love it. |
Positive | On Dec 20, 2015, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: A very beautiful plant, grown as much for its evergreen foliage as for its winter flowers. |
Positive | On Aug 22, 2015, wakingdream from Allentown, PA wrote: I received as a gift a small potted specimen of this Hellebore which grew nearly 3 feet tall in sheltered half sun and bloomed spectacularly the following spring. The green tones of the blossoms followed by the attractive seedheads make this a winner in my book. Bloom was April in PA. |
Positive | On Mar 13, 2011, Hudson3 from Hudson, NY wrote: Stately, beautiful and mysterious plant for the woodland garden. Blooms very early --often through the snow, would probably be happier in zone 6. Self-sows. Nice with other hellebores (it's taller and has more delicate leaves). A unique and beautiful plant. |
Positive | On Apr 26, 2009, fel from Wynnewood, PA (Zone 7a) wrote: Unusual looking plant for the person who wants a varied, rather tropical looking shade garden. Not really the kind of thing for a traditional border. I like them -- they self-seed after a few years, and they grow in shade, between rocks, or enmeshed in tree roots, without any trouble. |
Neutral | On Apr 16, 2005, PurplePansies from Deal, NJ (Zone 7a) wrote: I'll give this plant a neutral because it grew like a pro.... very easy.... looks lush and "perfect" with minimal care..... however its NOT MUCH TO LOOK AT....! ..... the evergreen leaves are nice (because they are evergreen!) but the flower are TOTALLY UNIMPRESSIVE...... small green things that don't stand out and hand down so you can hardly see them..... this may be nice used as a ground cover in "unwalked on" areas so that its foliage could provide winter green the the small green flowers would be a "bonus".... don't use as any sort of specimen..... as alone or used in such a manner it is very unimpressive..... |
Positive | On Nov 30, 2004, jklewis from Cambridge, MA wrote: I got this plant from The Primrose Path in Scottdale PA, where it has naturalized in shady areas. It is doing well here in Cambridge MA. The two-year-old plant set its flowers this fall, and I expect full bloom early next year. The foliage is lovely and evergreen. I understand that this plant's origin is Asia. |
Positive | On Jul 12, 2003, jkom51 from Oakland, CA (Zone 9b) wrote: I have a very vigorous unnamed specimen of H.foetidus. It was put in the ground from a 1-qt size in September and started flowering in December. That flower stalk lasted until April. The plant continued to expand vigorously and put up a second flower stalk which has just started to open up blooms (today is July 11th). This is my first experience with hellebores (I have three H. orientalis as well) here in coastal Northern CA/Sunset zone 17, and it looks like they are very consistent bloomers for well over half a year. With such attractive evergreen foliage I'm surprised they are not grown more often in gardens here. |
Neutral | On Aug 30, 2002, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: The plant has very large flowers which appear in groups and hang downwards due to their weight. These flowers are pale green and remain tightly closed and are therefore not very noticeable. |