Although the flowers are somewhat similar to other hellebores, Helleborus foetidus is very individual, from its filagree leaves to its green blooms, to the unpleasant scent of its leaves when they are crushed or bruised. Don’t let that last bit stop you from growing these amazing plants. They are extremely hardy and adaptable, stay evergreen most of the year and bloom earlier than just about any other perennial flower, often lifting their flower clusters despite the snow.Leaves: Deep green and deeply-cut leaves that spill outward, giving the plants an almost weeping look about them. The splayed nature of the cut leaves gives them their common name of “bear’s foot”. The unpleasant odor of the crushed leaves will explain their other common name, “stinking hellebore”.Flowers: The cupped flowers are a subtle yellow-green, usually with purple margins, and are surrounded by a pale green bract.
