Species veratrum
purple-green flowers with pink-yellow pistils and green stems

veratrum

Veratrum formosanum

Veratrum formosanum, also known as Formosan hellebore, is a species of flowering plant native to Taiwan and parts of China. It grows in moist shady areas on mountain slopes and is prized for its tall spikes of fragrant white flowers. The flowers form a dense head that is highly visible and attracts attention, while the foliage and seedpods provide structure and texture in the garden. With its ability to tolerate both sun and shade, this species is an excellent choice for sunny locations or areas of low light. A hardy plant, it's suitable for zones 4-10 and tolerant of a range of soil conditions.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Tissue Culture

Hardiness Zone:

7 - 9

Flowers:

Dark maroon Flowers

Sun:

Part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Veratrum plants need to be watered on a weekly basis. Water thoroughly, allowing the soil to be moist but not waterlogged. In the spring or summer, Veratrum plants may need to be watered more often in hot weather or if the soil gets too dry. As long as the soil doesn't get waterlogged, Veratrum plants can tolerate occasional droughts.

sunlight

Veratrum (Veratrum formosanum) is a perennial plant species that prefers full sun to light shade. The exact amount of sunlight required will vary based on the plant's location. In general, Veratrum formosanum should receive 4 - 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, ideally in the morning when the sun is not as harsh. During the hottest summer months, some afternoon light shade may help to protect the plants from too much sun and heat. While not a hard and fast requirement, Veratrum formosanum plants will generally thrive with consistent exposure to morning and partial afternoon sunlight.

pruning

Veratrum formosanum should be pruned in early summer, when new growth has hardened off. Prune lightly, removing only half of the newly formed shoots down to the ground. This will encourage branching and reduce the amount of legginess in the plant. As a rule of thumb, never prune more than 1-third of the plant's total growth in any given season. If needed, prune back again in the autumn to retain the desired shape for the winter.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Veratrum formosanum typically starts flowering in July.

Hardiness Map