Helleborus foetidus Wester Flisk Group

Also Known As

Helleborus foetidus 'Wester Flisk'
Bear's Foot Hellebore
Stinking Hellebore

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 32"
W: 40"

planting zones

6a-9b

More Options

Helleborus foetidus Wester Flisk Group plant details

Helleborus foetidus Wester Flisk Group is a broadleaf evergreen perennial with purple and red foliage. In spring and winter green and silver flowers emerge. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in clay, rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Helleborus foetidus Wester Flisk Group

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: ranunculaceae
Foliage: evergreen purple and red
Mature size: 40 IN wide, 32 IN tall
Flowers: green and silver blooms in spring and winter
Uses: border plant, container plant, cutting garden, easy-to-grow, purple stems, red stems, self-sowing, winter interest, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Helleborus foetidus Wester Flisk Group

USDA Zones: 6a - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture
Resistant to: deer and rabbit
Soil needs: clay, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

From the banks of Scotland's Tay River, 'Wester Flisk's fantastic foliar effect and extraordinary coloration will leave you spellbound. Large finely dissected palmate leaves with narrow jagged-edged finger-like leaflets interlace in a singular geometric fashion, creating a dark green dome that casts rich maroon shades from fall to spring. Set off by red stems and stalks, the airy chartreuse clusters of perfectly shaped bell flowers are rimmed in red. This exceptional selection maintains its composure when exposed to sun or shade, rabbits and deer, and dry, moist or clay soil.

By: Digging Dog Nursery

By far, in my opinion, the best species of helleborus for foliage effect, large palmate leaves made up of narrow, jagged-edged leaflets, arranged in strict geometric patterns around the stems. In this selection, the dark green leaves flush with red from fall through spring, making a spectacular contrast to the bright chartreuse flowers that, like most helleborus, open in late winter/early spring. Handles dry shade with ease, and ignored by deer, rabbits, and insects. But not ducks, apparently... Renae, who works for us part time, says her ducks gobble up hellebores like crazy. You'd think it would kill them. Zone 5.

By: Arrowhead Alpines

A true evergreen plant with dark green, dissected foliage with a silvery cast in winter. The stems on this selection are red, so are the rims of the bell-shaped flowers. Top winter plant!

By: Edelweiss Perennials

Bear's Foot Hellebore. Dark fingered evergreen foliage all season, with red tinted flowering stems emerging in late winter, producing heads of pale green bells as early as February. We recommend planting this in a spot protected from drying winter winds H. foetidus blooms on last years stems. Will self sow true to form. Tolerates dry shade to boot!

By: Avant Gardens

Is similar to the species, but the stems and petioles are dark purple. This plant will come “true” with purple stems if kept separate from the species.