This is a valuable plant as it flowers between December and April when there are few flowers in the garden. It is also called the Lenten Rose. Most species of Hellebore came from the Balkans, with some from Northern Europe and one from China. Garden Hellebores are the result of many years of cross pollination – they hybridise freely and produce a wide range of flower colours from pure white through various shades of pink and red to a deep purple black. There are also some yellow flowering plants. In the wild Hellebores grow under the shade of deciduous trees so they grow best in partial shade and are best sheltered from midd ay sun, although they will not flower well in deep shade. They like rich well drained soil which does not dry out or get waterlogged – an annual mulch of compost or leafmould in Autumn is appreciated. In winter remove dead leaves and any leaves with black spots on – this helps to control a fungal disease called Hellebore Leaf Spot. The coloured parts of the plant are sepals and not petals. In most plants the sepals are green and protect the new flower buds. The petals of a Hellebore have developed at the base of the sepals and are fused to form tubes holding nectar (called nectaries).