Troubleshooting
Hellebore 'Penny's Pink' problems — and how to fix them
Hellebore 'Penny's Pink' (Helleborus (Rodney Davey Marbled Group) 'Penny's Pink') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Hellebore leaf spot
Dark blotches on leaves and stems from fungal infection. Cut away and dispose of affected foliage, and remove tatty old leaves in late winter to improve airflow and show off flowers.
Aphids (hellebore aphid)
Greenfly cluster on flower stems and undersides of leaves, weakening growth and spreading viruses. Wash off or treat early in the season.
Old foliage hiding flowers
Unlike many seed-grown hellebores, Frostkiss types are best left mostly intact, but tired or spotted leaves should be trimmed in late winter to reveal the blooms.
Crown rot in wet soil
Heavy, waterlogged winter soil rots the crown. Improve drainage with grit and organic matter and avoid low-lying, poorly drained spots.
Prevent hellebore 'penny's pink' problems before they start
Most hellebore 'penny's pink' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for hellebore 'penny's pink' in general rather than its problems? Read the full hellebore 'penny's pink' care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Hellebore 'Penny's Pink' problems — FAQ
Why is my hellebore 'penny's pink' hellebore leaf spot?
Dark blotches on leaves and stems from fungal infection. Cut away and dispose of affected foliage, and remove tatty old leaves in late winter to improve airflow and show off flowers.
Why is my hellebore 'penny's pink' aphids (hellebore aphid)?
Greenfly cluster on flower stems and undersides of leaves, weakening growth and spreading viruses. Wash off or treat early in the season.
Why is my hellebore 'penny's pink' old foliage hiding flowers?
Unlike many seed-grown hellebores, Frostkiss types are best left mostly intact, but tired or spotted leaves should be trimmed in late winter to reveal the blooms.
Why is my hellebore 'penny's pink' crown rot in wet soil?
Heavy, waterlogged winter soil rots the crown. Improve drainage with grit and organic matter and avoid low-lying, poorly drained spots.