Pruning Hellebore

Hellebores require minimal pruning, but a little attention at the right time significantly improves their appearance and flowering. The main pruning window is March, just before or as the new flower stems begin to emerge, though you can also tidy plants in November if preferred. The primary task is removing the old, tatty evergreen foliage from the previous year. This foliage often looks tired and battered by late winter, and more importantly, it can harbour fungal diseases such as leaf spot that may spread to new growth and flowers. In March, use clean, sharp secateurs to cut away all the old leaves at the base, close to the crown. Be careful not to damage the emerging flower buds, which will be pushing up through the centre of the plant at this time. Removing the foliage not only reduces disease pressure but also allows the flowers to be seen clearly without competition from shabby leaves. If you notice any diseased or blackened leaves at other times of year, remove them promptly and dispose of them in the bin rather than composting. After flowering finishes in late spring, you can remove spent flower stems if you wish, cutting them down to the base. However, many gardeners leave them in place as the seed heads have their own architectural interest and hellebores often self-seed, providing new plants. If you want to prevent self-seeding or keep the plant tidy, remove the stems once the flowers fade. Fresh new foliage will emerge naturally after flowering and remain attractive throughout summer and autumn.