Helleborus multifidus subsp. bocconei

Helleborus multifidus subsp. bocconei is a botanical hellebore rare in cultivation, mainly grown for its unusual deciduous foliage, curiously cut and toothed, very ornamental from spring to autumn. Its simple flowers, with a delicate elderflower fragrance, are more or less round or star-shaped, apple green in colour, becoming almost white at maturity. It is a robust species that likes semi-shade and well-drained soils, even limestone, but hates icy winds. A collector's plant, to be planted not far from a walkway, even in a large pot, to enjoy its extraordinary foliage in the warmer months and its curious fragrant winter flowering!

Originally from regions ranging from Sicily to southern and central Italy, Helleborus multifidus ssp bocconei is a perennial plant of the buttercup family. It is one of the many subspecies of H.multifidus, differentiated by their region of origin and morphological differences, mainly affecting the foliage. This Hellebore is fairly variable in appearance, sometimes not very long-lasting, moderately hardy and tolerates the presence of limestone in the soil and summer drought. It naturally grows in scrubland, copse and under the canopy of sparse forests. The plant forms a bushy clump, 30cm (12in) tall (even more in cultivation), and 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in) wide with deciduous leaves that emerge from the ground early in spring. These basal leaves are palmate, divided into 5 to 7 leaflets themselves subdivided, so that each one has about 20 segments with strongly toothed edges, variable in shape and medium matt green.

Between January and March, floral stems grouping 5 to 7 single flowers appear, 3 to 4 cm (1 to 2in) or more in diameter. These are cup-shaped flowers, inclined downwards, with sepals that are rounded or pointed, giving the corolla a more or less star-like appearance. Their colour varies from fairly intense green when they open, to apple green, and then whitish-green on the edges. Their fragrance evokes that of elderflowers. They are inclined downwards, allowing water to slide off like an umbrella to protect the heart of the flower from rotting. Hellebore does not like to be moved once established, with young plants sometimes taking 3 years to flower. Ants sow the abundant seed in April-May. They germinate easily after exposure to cold the following winter.

Use hellebores as elements of an ancient tapestry, mixing them with woodland plants in brighter colours. This Hellebore, the Italian version of Christmas roses and traditional Lenten roses, is a rare species that can be appreciated even in summer for its elegant foliage. For this purpose, it can be planted at the base of Clethra or Japanese maples, which will provide beneficial shade in summer without suffocating it, in the company of Asarum europaeum, variegated periwinkles or dwarf hostas. It can be planted in groups, like a bouquet, near the entrance of the house, in a shaded location, or in a large pot, to enjoy its fragrant and early flowering up close.