Helleborus is a small genus in the family Ranunculaceae, the genus covering a group of perennial plants from Europe and Asia. Hellebores are mentioned in ancient Greek and Roman literature – the plant is said to have been used by the ancient Greeks for poisoning the wells of their enemies. The cultivation and hybridising of hellebores started in the 19th century with German botanists leading the field. New forms soon found their way into the plant lists of British nurseries beginning a fascination for this species that has continued till today. Hybridising really began in earnest after the Second World War.