Hellebore species
Associated with Saturn, Water, and Mars, this classic ritual magick herb is used for banishing and in necromancy. This is one of the baneful herbs and very dangerous, so approach it with respect.  Despite that, it seems to really enjoy keeping people company, and has been cultivated since at least the Middle Ages. It grows well in temperate areas, especially in woodlands. As a Saturn plant, it prefers the kind of dappled shade found in deciduous forests where it can get sunlight in winter. It is in the Buttercup family, one of the most poisonous, but like its siblings, it burns the mouth when eaten, so people and other animals rarely die of it. However, always wear gloves when working with it. Top

Uses in Witchcraft & Magick:

Banishing
Necromancy
Saturn/Water Herb

I have seeds for two types of hellebores: Bear's Foot and Black.

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Helleborus foetidus
Bear's Foot Hellebore
Because this plant is a native to England and its handsome leaves are considered "black" (dark green), when "black hellebore" is described in British medieval sources, it is most likely this plant, not H. niger, that is being described. Despite the botanical name, the flowers smell pleasant; it's the crushed leaves that don't smell good (so don't crush 'em!). Unlike the botanical drawing here, this plant gets up to 36"/80 cm tall with lots of green flowers edged with maroon that last for weeks. The leaves are very much like those of H. viridis (below) but darker. This plant is also known as Griffon's Foot, Easter Hellebore, Fernleaf Hellebore, Setterwort, Setter Grass, Peldyr Sbaen, and Llewgyr y Llyngyr. It grows wells with spring bulbs, M. betonicifolia, ferns, and hostas and is hardy in zones 5-9 (-20F/-28C). How to grow hellebore. Top

Helleborus niger
Black Hellebore ( Christe Herbe, Christmas Rose, Melampode)
This is the oldest garden type of hellebore, a classic magick herb, and a wonderful addition to the witch's garden, especially those dedicated to the Crone. The flower color depends on the environment but is usually white or pink. Cattle were once blessed with this baneful herb to protect them against malign influences and evil spells, and apparently a ritual was involved in digging it up; it is too bad that the knowledge of it has been lost. It is also an ingredient in an incense for consecrating talismans of Saturn. Agrippa recommended it as part of a fumitory for raising spirits of Mars, and it goes into the Cauldren of Cerridwen Brew.  Grows 1 ft/35 cm. How to grow hellebore.  Top

How to grow hellebores: The seed needs warmth and then cold treatment to sprout. Plant and keep at 72F/22C with constant humidity for at least 6 weeks.  You can use bottom heat from a waterproof heating pad for this (see general growing tips).  Put them in the freezer for 6-8 weeks (0C/25-39F).  Then raise temps to 50F gradually (keep in fridge for a while).  Then take out and they should germinate.  If the cold treatment was not long enough, they will not germinate until the following year.  You can also just plant them outside in pots when you get them and leave them outside through the warm weather and then the cold until after Winter Solstice (see special directions on the Solstice Sowing page), making sure that they have moisture but are not soaked. They will germinate in February. The seedlings should be transplanted to their permanent site when they are about two inches tall. Plant out in dappled shade.  Extremely heavy shade will mean a leggy plant--long stalks and stems.  It likes deep, fertile soil (use plenty of Black Cow) that is well drained (no standing water or clay) and no competition with tree roots.  These plants take two years to bloom, although some will bloom the first fall.  However, they will self-sow prodigiously.  Once they get growing, mulch them before it gets too cold.  Plants can be flattened by very cold weather but will spring back up. The farther south they are, the more shade they like.  Pick off dead leaves to keep disease from getting hold.  When they get established, you can make root divisions in July or just let them self-sow, which they do readily. General growing info.  Top