Helleborus can be rhizomatous, herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennials forming a clump of pedate basal leaves, or evergreen with erect, leafy stems. Large, bowl-shaped flowers are borne in loose clusters in late winter or spring
H. lividus is an evergreen perennial to 45cm with biennial stems bearing leaves composed of three bluish-green marbled leaflets. Nodding, pale pinkish-green flowers 3-5cm in width are borne in open clusters from mid winter