Plant Lust
ShopOrderSellblog
0

  • Plant types

  • Plant styles

  • Planting conditions

  • Seasonal interest

  • Nurseries & Gardens

    • Photo of Veratrum californicum foliage, form by Florian Boyd

    Photo by Florian Boyd

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

    Show all photos

    Veratrum californicum

    Also Known As

    • California False Hellebore

    Plant type

    perennial

    size

    • H: 5'-6'
    • W: 4'

    planting zones

    • 4a-9b

    More Options

    Veratrum californicum plant details

    Veratrum californicum is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In spring cream flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Grows well with mostly sun - dappled shade and even moisture water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Veratrum californicum

    Plant type: perennial
    Plant family: melanthiaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 4 FT wide, 5 FT - 6 FT - tall
    Flowers: cream blooms in spring
    Uses: big leaves, tropical-looking, woodland garden

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Veratrum californicum

    USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
    Sun exposure: mostly sun - dappled shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture
    Resistant to: deer, verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    A most impressive and equally rare and sought-after native for the shade garden; for sun with ample moisture and cooler regions. Veratrum californicum can be encountered in all Western States, from the coast over to the Eastern Rockies. The bloom-stalks (panicles) with up 1000 flowers each are awe-inspiring, the large pleated leaves are highly decorative while you're waiting for the blooms. They normally bloom in the 7th to 8th year, these ones are 5 years old. Average to moist soils.

    By: Edelweiss Perennials

    Blooms: spring-summer, white flowers/ large ovate pleated foliage/ var. californicum Zone 6-9. 3'-6', PNW, shade-sun, moist, well drained

    By: Keeping it Green Nursery

    Lustrous pleated leaves on statuesque plants add a tropical look, thanks to this tough native.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Gardening facts about Veratrum californicum plant

    How to Grow Veratrum californicum

    • Sun Exposure

      • mostly sun - dappled shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained

    • Special Situation

      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • cream

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant

    • Flower Season

      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    • Texture

      • glossy

    See other plant types of Veratrum for your garden

    Veratrum formosanum ex BSWJ 1575

    aka Veratrum formosanum [BSWJ 1575]

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 15"-16"

    Width: 12"

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - occasional
    Photo of Veratrum formosanum ex BSWJ 1575 flower by Far Reaches Farm
    View Plant

    More Options

    Veratrum oxysepalum

    aka Veratrum album var. oxysepalum, White False Hellebore

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    3a-8b

    Size

    Height: 3'-4'

    Width: 1'-3'

    • mostly sun
    • even moisture
    Photo of Veratrum oxysepalum flower, foliage, form by Σ64
    View Plant

    More Options

    Veratrum californicum v. caudatum

    aka California False Hellebore, Cascade False Hellebore

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    4a-8b

    Size

    Height: 4'-6'

    Width: 1'-4'

    • mostly shade
    • even moisture
    Photo of Veratrum californicum v. caudatum flower by Far Reaches Farm
    View Plant

    More Options

    Veratrum viride

    aka Green False Hellebore, Indian Poke

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Aquatic

    Zones

    3b-8b

    Size

    Height: 3'-8'

    Width: 24"

    • mostly sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - high
    Photo of Veratrum viride foliage by Keeping it Green Nursery
    View Plant

    More Options

    Veratrum maackii var. japonicum

    aka Japanese Corn Lily

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    3a-9b

    Size

    Height: 2'-5'

    Width: 1'-2'

    • mostly sun - shade
    • even moisture
    Photo of Veratrum maackii var. japonicum foliage, form by Dalgial
    View Plant

    More Options

    +4 more Veratrum
    Mailing List
    Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

    © 2010—2026 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved