Frosty black: description and photo, features of cultivation

Many owners of country houses pay special attention to plants in the garden. As soon as the first spring rays warm the snowdrifts, gentle flowers of hellebore begin to stretch through the snow. This plant is characterized by early flowering. The frostbite reveals its buds in the flowering period of Erantis, grouse and crocus.

Mysticism and the danger of hellebore

This amazing perennial plant is known to man since biblical times. Legends and legends went about him, magical properties were attributed to him. In one legend it is said that these flowers were found by the Magi near the shed in which Jesus Christ was born. It used to be believed that this flower can evoke demons. In another legend it was said that the cause of the death of Alexander the Great was the poison of the hellebore. And Hippocrates used it as a cleanser. This early flower was also used to treat paralysis and insanity.

Modern scientists claim that this flower is not at all harmless. It contains such poisonous substances as jerwin, veratrine, cyclopamine and teratogen. Once in the human body, they cause dizziness, suffocation, swelling, thirst and vomiting. Therefore, having decided to plant this attractive plant on your plot of land, you should constantly monitor your pets and small children. At the first symptoms of poisoning this plant should immediately consult a doctor.

Variety of plants

In its wild form this flower grows in Europe (southern and middle part), in Asia Minor, the Balkans, the Carpathians, the south of Ukraine and the Caucasus. The altitude of the hellebore reaches 30-50 cm. It has a well developed root system. Flowers and leaves of hellebore are located close to the ground, form a beautiful rosette. The dense leaves of this plant have a dark green hue. On the high stalk are beautiful inflorescences. Most varieties of hellebore have flowers of a pale green hue. Inside, each of them is colored with bright colors - brown, red, pink, black. Common types of hellebore (zimovnik) include:

• The black.
• Caucasian.
• Oriental.
• Hybrid.
• Blushing.
• Smelly.

Black hellebore

The birthplace of this flower is South and Central Europe. The black hellebore got its name because of the color of the rhizome. In the wild, this plant is most often found in mountain forests. The description of the black hellebore will not leave you indifferent. Believe me, after reading this article, you immediately plant on your personal plot this perennial mysterious plant.

The height of the black hellebore reaches 30 cm. The leaves have a dark green hue. On the territory of Russia this sort of hellebore blooms in late March - early April. The inflorescence of the black winter hibernate is large, white, mottled. With age they acquire a gently pink shade. There is a variety with originally pink flowers, which is called the "Christmas star". This flower was, according to legend, donated to the baby Jesus.

After flowering, the foliage loses its foliage, and in its place a new one immediately grows. The black hellebore blossoms all year round. He is unpretentious in care, resistant to various pests. In winter, the flower can withstand temperatures of -35 ° C.

This plant is actively used in folk medicine. For example, the water extract of the hellebore black is known. But experts do not recommend taking all the infusions inside. After all, everyone knows that the plant contains poison, which means it can cause serious consequences, even to death.

Caucasian hellebore

This is the most unimpressive of all varieties of hellebore. But it is also the most poisonous. The plant grows in beech, oak and pine forests of the Krasnodar Territory and Georgia. The height of the Caucasian winter stand reaches 40 cm. The leaves of the plant are large, leathery, dark green, shiny. Due to the stiffness of the texture and the internal composition, the leaf is hard to damage. The root is small, dark brown. Inflorescences of green with a brown or white hue. This variety blooms in late winter - early spring. The first buds appear from under the snow.

It is permissible to use hellebore black and caucasian for medical purposes. Use the root, which is previously excavated, cleaned and dried. From it prepare broths, infusions. They are used for external treatment of dermatological problems and joints.

Eastern hellebore

The most widespread plant variety. The homeland of the Eastern hellebore is Greece, the Caucasus, and Turkey. This plant perfectly tolerates arid summer conditions and severe winters. Well tolerates a decrease in temperature in winter to -29 ^o C. Gardeners can use it to design landscapes in regions where there is no permafrost.

Frosty eastern reaches 30 cm in height. It is characterized by later flowering. The first flowers appear in early April. The original plant is cream colored with specific strokes on the petals. There are varieties of pink, white and purple color. Often there are varieties with a crab inside the flower. The most beautiful representatives of this variety are the hybrid Ballard, Oriental montsegur and Ellen purple.

The frostbite is smelly

The name of the plant speaks for itself. Bright green unusual flowers have an inexpressible beauty. At the same time, a strong, unpleasant aroma will not be to many people's liking.

Where to plant a plant

The most popular, attractive and unpretentious is the black hellebore. Planting and caring for him is quite simple. This is a perennial plant that grows in one place without a transplant for many years. But you should carefully choose a place for planting hellebore, listening to the recommendations of specialists and the requirements of agricultural technology.

Growing black hellebore better occurs on soils rich in humus. It is desirable that he was located under the crowns of trees, where a lot of rotten foliage. It is necessary to choose the right place for the future plant. The frostbite should be located in the shade with a small amount of sunlight. The place should be protected from strong winds. Ideal neighbors of the flower are trees whose crowns will pass through the necessary sun rays. The plant is rather unpretentious and can easily adapt to almost any conditions. But the correct landing and care of the black hellebore is the key to its long and active flowering in your garden.

Plant the plant in the garden in early autumn. The frostbite has time to take root well before the beginning of winter. Most often, separate bushes are used for this, which were previously separated from the old plant. In this way the bush is rejuvenated, and the duration of its growth increases. In one place the bush can grow for a long time. Over time, it grows. Samosev muffles the plant, so periodically the bush should be thinned out. The separated parts are used for reproduction. They will lay the foundation for a future new, strong and beautiful bush.

Requirements for soil and watering

Soil for planting hellebore should retain moisture. This plant does not tolerate the drying of the soil. Therefore, special attention should be given not only to the composition, but also to the condition of the soil. It should not be heavy and caked. Clay particles should not be contained in the ground.

The plant grows well in turf ground. As stated above, it is better to arrange the flower under the tree. Effectively looks hellebore under evergreen bushes and trees.

The best development of this plant occurs on alkaline soils or on neutral soils.

In the acid reaction of the earth, experts recommend the introduction of ash, lime or spilled tea into the soil. With the regular application of these substances, the soil composition may change.

In regions with heavy snowfalls, hellebore is practically not watered. Melt water provides sufficient moistening of the soil. In arid regions it is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil. It should be several times a season to water the plant abundantly. But the lack of water does not hurt the hellebore. Due to the rigid structure of the leaves, evaporation of moisture from the flower occurs moderately.

Landing

How to plant a black hellebore correctly? First of all, prepare shallow square wells measuring 25x25 cm. Leave a distance of at least 30 cm between plant bushes. Compost must be laid on the bottom of the pit. Now the seedling should be placed in the groove and carefully spread out the roots of the plant. From all sides you need to gradually sprinkle the seedling, squeeze. After the plant must be watered with plenty of water. In the next 3 weeks it should be watered regularly, avoiding overflow and stagnation of water.

The landing of black hellebore almost always ends successfully. After all, this plant is unpretentious. A sad result can be obtained when poor quality, painful seedlings are used.

Top dressing and fertilizer

In fact, this plant is unpretentious and does not need special care and fertilization. But experienced gardeners know that feeding is the key to its long and abundant flowering. Therefore, we do not miss this item, but we apply the recommendations of experienced gardeners in practice. And believe me, your hellebore will answer these procedures with lush flowering and the development of chic and attractive foliage.

So, how to properly fertilize a variety of black hellebore? In the early spring , double superphosphate and bone meal can be used. It should also pay attention to foliar top dressing with trace elements. Such a procedure must be performed in warm weather on clear and dry days.

Many gardeners do not recommend fertilizing this flower with nitrogen fertilizers.

Methods of reproduction of hellebore

Frosty eastern and black are actively used in landscape design. These plants look great in rock gardens, rockeries, mixborders. On private plots, these plants create a vivid accent not only in the spring, but all year round. In winter, this flower pleases the gardeners with unfading greenery. After all, this plant is frost-hardy.

The hellebore reproduces in two ways: by dividing an adult bush and seeds. Cultivation and reproduction of this plant occurs exclusively in the open ground. At home, the flower stops flowering.

Reproduction by seeds

The seed method of growing a winter hog does involve the use of fresh planting material. When buying, pay attention to the date of collection of seeds. Be careful, because in 6 months after the harvest they lose their germination.

Sow the black hellebore from the seeds should be in the prepared containers with wet and loosened ground. They should be planted at a depth of 1-2 cm. With the appearance of the first leaves, the container should be placed in a darkened place. From this moment the seedlings can be dived. Before landing on the street, they must be transplanted several times. After 2-3 years, you can plant the strengthened plants in a permanent place. It is better to transplant in the beginning of autumn, at the end of September. The first flowering of the winter hunter, propagated by seeds, will begin for 3 years.

Multiplication by bush division method

Many experts argue that hellebore slowly proliferates and does not tolerate transplantation. Therefore, propagation by the vegetative method is recommended in rare cases.

To divide the bush, you should choose an adult shrub that is more than 3 years old. The dressing room can be performed after the flowering period. To spend a flower it is necessary so that between bushes there was a distance of 30-40 sm. The ground necessarily should be wet, friable, with good drainage.

The reproduction of hellebore in this way carries a danger not only for the plant, but also for man. After all, the flower is poisonous. A drop of juice can cause a burn or irritation on the skin. Therefore, when dividing, you should take care of your own safety. It is necessary to put on gloves and to avoid direct contact of a plant with the open sites of a skin. If the juice of the plant gets on the body, it should be washed off as quickly as possible with running water. In case of irritation, it is better to consult a doctor.

Pests and diseases

The frostbite is particularly resistant to many diseases and pests. Discomfort to this plant is brought by rodents, snails, slugs and aphids. Rarely on the flower, you can see a hop hopper that hits the root. In these cases, insecticides should be used. When making mortar, follow the manufacturer's recommendations strictly.

The leaves of the hellebore also damage the Coniothyrium hellebori fungus, which provokes the appearance of dark spots. The disease quickly develops in warm and damp weather. In this case, it is necessary to regularly monitor the appearance of new affected leaves and trim them in time. Also, the flower should be treated with a systemic fungicide.

Combination with other plants

Often in the photo, a black hellebore can be seen next to different trees and flowers. And this is not surprising. After all, this flower grows well under bushes and deciduous trees. Gardeners often combine this spring flower with early-flowering crocuses, low-growing tulips, hazel grouses and daffodils, small-mouthed erantis and scylla. Decorative foliage of hellebore looks ideally with variegated cultures that develop in the summer.

Landscape design and hellebore

The active use of hellebore in landscape design occurs when creating shadow alpine slides. Thanks to early flowering, hellebore decorates the landscape composition in March, when the snow did not melt yet. Decorative large shrubs are perfectly combined with different types of plants.

Do not plant the plant in places where children often play.