Seed
For good germination it is recommended to sow fresh seeds immediately after the harvest in May or June.
Use a light free draining mixture. That can be made by adding sharp sand or grit to the potting compost.
This mixture should be put in a pot and slightly firmed. Sow the seeds over the compost and cover with another 3 mm. of potting compost.
To prevent from silting up cover with a thin layer of fine grit.
Place the pot on a protected and shaded spot (keep the compost moist).
Germination will take place in December or January. Protect young plants from frost!
Prick out in February/April, plant in the garden in August/ September, in a partially shaded spot, in soil that doesn’t dry out too much.

Vegetative multiplication
Older plants can also be multiplied by splitting them up in several pieces. Make sure every piece has at least one good growing point. The best time to split up plants is in August or September.

How to handle your ordered Helleborus plants
Immediately after receiving your plants you should unpack and plant out. Make sure that roots and lower part of the plant are well covered with soil. This is very important for a good result! From the lower part of the plant new shoots will develop.
When planting too shallow the plant will not develop good enough. Don’t plant too deep; the bottom leaf should still be above the ground.

The right place to plant: partial shade, a protected place, in nutritive soil that doesn’t dry out too much. Protect young plants from frost during the first winter.

Floating flowers
Flowers  of Helleborus may be used in shallow vases. When flowers are completely opened, leave about 1.5 cm of stem and put these in a vase filled with 3 cm of water.

Bouquets
The most suitable types for a bouquet are H. sternii, H. argutifolius and H. foetidus, types that last in a vase for quite a long time. Selection has resulted in e.g. H. argutifolius 'Red Riding Hood’. These are multiplied in tissue culture and first plants are to be delivered in 2007.

Helleborus orientalis hybrids are also more and more grown for the cutting. For this cultivation we also have a special selection with strong stems, and flowers that really seem to face you.