Helleborus foetidus 'Gold Bullion'
ABOUT
Helleborus foetidus 'Gold Bullion', commonly known as Stinking Hellebore, bears a distinctive appearance characterized by its striking foliage and flowers. The plant features a bushy clump of evergreen leaves that are a bright, shiny gold color, providing a vivid contrast to the often dreary colors of late winter and early spring. Each leaf is made up of narrow, elongated leaflets with a leathery texture and serrated edges, creating a palmate display that adds both texture and color to the landscape. Adding to its allure, the Stinking Hellebore produces clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers that cluster atop tall, upright stems. The blooms are typically a soft green, sometimes edged or flushed with reddish-purple or maroon. These blooms have a somewhat nodding appearance, which often leads to them being somewhat hidden among the leaves, inviting a closer look to appreciate their subtle beauty fully. The flowers are known to emit a distinctive odor when brushed or crushed, which attributes to the plant's common name, though this feature is often not noticed unless the plant is disturbed. The contrast of the golden foliage against the greenish flowers is particularly striking in winter gardens, where color can be scarce. Given its evergreen nature, the appearance of Stinking Hellebore 'Gold Bullion' is consistent throughout the year, providing enduring interest and a splash of brightness no matter the season.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ranunculaceae.
Synonyms
Stinking Hellebore, Bear's Foot, Setterwort, Dummen's Oregano.
Common names
Helleborus foetidus 'Gold Bullion'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Stinking Hellebore is toxic to humans. All parts of the plant contain toxic compounds, including glycosides and alkaloids, which can cause poisoning if ingested. Symptoms of Stinking Hellebore poisoning may include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and depression of the central nervous system. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to bradycardia (slow heart rate) or cardiac arrest. Handling the plant may also cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
To pets
The plant known as Stinking Hellebore is also poisonous to pets. Similar to its effects on humans, all parts of this plant are toxic to animals. If pets ingest Stinking Hellebore, they might exhibit symptoms such as drooling, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. In serious cases, ingestion can result in heart complications or convulsions. It is important to prevent pets from accessing and consuming any part of this plant to avoid potential poisoning.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Chartreuse
Flower color
Green
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Helleborus Gold Bullion offers year-round visual interest with its striking golden-yellow foliage and green, bell-shaped flowers.
- Shade Tolerance: This plant thrives well in partially shaded garden spots where many other plants struggle to grow.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, Gold Bullion is quite tolerant of dry conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Cold Hardy: It is capable of withstanding cold winter temperatures, making it a good choice for gardens in cooler climates.
- Evergreen Nature: As an evergreen plant, it keeps its foliage throughout the year, contributing to the winter garden landscape.
- Low Maintenance: Gold Bullion requires minimal care once established, making it a convenient choice for busy gardeners.
- Suitable for Containers: It can be grown in pots, which is ideal for patios, balconies, or areas with limited space.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers provide nectar in the late winter to early spring, supporting bees and other beneficial insects when few other nectar sources are available.
- Deer Resistant: Its foliage is not a preferred food source for deer, reducing the likelihood of damage in areas where deer are a problem.
- Enhances Biodiversity: As part of a mixed planting, it increases the variety of plants in a garden, which can be beneficial for wildlife and ecosystem health.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Indicator Plant: Helleborus foetidus 'Gold Bullion' can be used by gardeners as an indicator plant due to its early flowering nature, signaling the start of a new gardening season.
- Photography Subject: The striking appearance of 'Gold Bullion' with its golden foliage and green flowers makes it a popular subject for photographers, particularly those who specialize in plant and garden photography.
- Educational Tool: Botany educators may use 'Gold Bullion' to teach students about plant adaptation and evolution, as it is a cultivar developed for its unique coloration.
- Winter Garden Interest: The plant's evergreen foliage and winter blossoms provide color and interest in the garden during the dull winter months, making it valuable for landscape design.
- Companion Planting: 'Gold Bullion' can be used in companion planting to complement the flowers and foliage of other plants due to its contrasting colors, enhancing the overall aesthetics of a garden.
- Garden Borders: Its compact and clump-forming habit makes 'Gold Bullion' suitable for creating defined borders or edges in a formal garden setting.
- Slope Stabilization: The deep roots of Helleborus foetidus can help with erosion control on slopes, and 'Gold Bullion' adds an ornamental value to this practical purpose.
- Crafting and Dried Flower Arrangements: The flowers and seed pods of 'Gold Bullion' can be used in dried flower arrangements or other crafting projects due to their unique appearance and durability when dried.
- Seasonal Celebrations: Due to its wintertime blooming, 'Gold Bullion' can be included in garden displays or used to decorate during winter seasonal celebrations like Christmas.
- Shade Garden Enhancement: 'Gold Bullion' thrives in shaded areas where other plants may struggle, offering a solution for gardeners looking to beautify dim and underutilized spaces.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Stinking Hellebore is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Stinking Hellebore is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience - Helleborus foetidus 'Gold Bullion', commonly known as Bearsfoot Hellebore, often blooms in winter or early spring, symbolizing the ability to endure challenging conditions and emerge with beauty.
- Protection - In historical contexts, some varieties of hellebore were thought to have protective qualities against evil spirits and negative influences, due to their toxicity.
- Healing and Rebirth - The Bearsfoot Hellebore’s early bloom was sometimes seen as a harbinger of spring, representing the healing of the Earth after winter and the idea of rebirth.
- Tranquility - The subtle, often greenish flowers of this variety may convey a sense of calm and bring peace to the garden or the viewer, symbolizing tranquility.
- Overcoming Fear - Because hellebores can thrive in the shadowy and cold parts of the garden, they may symbolize the conquering of fear or adversity.
WaterStinking hellebore needs consistent moisture, especially during spring and fall. Water the plant deeply once a week, providing about 1 gallon of water per square foot of soil. During hot, dry spells in the summer, watering frequency may need to increase to every 3-4 days, ensuring that the top inch of soil remains moist but not waterlogged. In the winter, reduce watering as the plant requires less moisture due to cooler temperatures and usually more rainfall. Always check the soil moisture before watering to avoid over-saturation.
LightStinking hellebore thrives in partial shade to full shade, avoiding direct afternoon sun which can scorch its leaves. The ideal spot for this plant would be under the dappled light of a deciduous tree or on the north side of a building where it can receive indirect light. It adapts well to the lower light levels found in woodland settings or shaded garden areas.
TemperatureStinking hellebore is comfortable in a temperature range from 30°F to 85°F and is resilient in colder climates, tolerating temperatures down to around 5°F. The ideal growing temperatures for this perennial are between 40°F and 75°F. The plant's evergreen nature allows it to withstand winter chill, although it may benefit from a protective mulch in the coldest zones.
PruningPruning stinking hellebore is generally conducted to remove old or damaged foliage and to improve the plant's appearance. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, cutting back last year's leaves to the base. Pruning can be done annually, and it's also the best time to remove any faded flowers if seed propagation is not desired, helping to maintain a tidy plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilStinking Hellebore 'Gold Bullion' thrives in a well-drained, loamy soil mix, rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0. A mixture of two parts garden soil to one part sand or perlite and one part compost or leaf mold is ideal.
RepottingStinking Hellebore 'Gold Bullion' should be repotted every 3 to 4 years, or when it outgrows its current container, to refresh the soil and allow room for root growth.
Humidity & MistingStinking Hellebore 'Gold Bullion' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels but prefers moderate conditions. It does not require high humidity to thrive.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Stinking Hellebore in a bright spot with indirect light.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade with sheltered, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life of Helleborus foetidus 'Gold Bullion', commonly known as Stinking Hellebore or Bear's Foot, begins with seed germination, usually occurring in spring or early summer. Seedlings develop into a rosette of shiny, dark green, palmate leaves edged with yellow, characteristic of the 'Gold Bullion' cultivar. Over several months to a year, the plant matures and the rosette becomes more pronounced and bushy, with the foliage becoming more vibrant. Flowering typically occurs in late winter to early spring, producing pale green, bell-shaped flowers with a strong, unpleasant odor, hence the common name "Stinking Hellebore." After pollination, usually by bees, the plant sets seed, which ripen and are eventually shed around the parent plant. The mother plant can be perennial, living for several years, and flowering annually, while self-seeded plants will repeat this life cycle autonomously.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The most popular method of propagating Helleborus foetidus 'Gold Bullion', commonly known as Stinking hellebore, is through seed sowing. Propagate seeds as soon as they are ripe in late spring to early summer by sowing them in pots or a cold frame. Place pots in a shaded area and maintain a light moisture level, without letting the soil become waterlogged. The seedlings can be pricked out and transplanted into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. It typically takes one to two years for seedlings to flower. This plant also self-sows under favorable conditions, making seed propagation a natural and effective method to increase your hellebores collection.
