The dark purplish-green compound leaves of bear’s foot hellebore are evergreen to semi-evergreen. The nodding, clustered, cuplike flowers are yellow-green with violet tips and bloom from late winter to early spring. Bear’s foot hellebore prefers average, well-drained, alkaline soils in light shade and are often planted in containers, cottage gardens, shade gardens, winter gardens, pollinator gardens, beds, or borders.
- Family (English) Crowfoot
- Family (botanic) Ranunculaceae
- Tree or plant type Perennial
- Native locale Non-native
- Size range Medium plant (12-24 inches)
- Light exposure Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily), Full shade (4 hrs or less of light daily)
- Hardiness zones Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
- Soil preference Alkaline soil, Moist, well-drained soil
- Tolerances Alkaline soil, Dry sites, Occasional drought
- Season of interest late winter, early spring
- Flower color and fragrance Other
- Shape or form Arching, Broad, Mounded, Round
- Growth rate Moderate
- Wildlife Birds, Butterflies, Insect pollinators