They are small, grow well in the shade and have tiny flowers, Hepatica are however a wonderful genus with a number of great garden varieties.
Hepatica are better known as liverwort and are a clump forming perennial with attractive flowers in early spring.
Flowers range from white through to pinks and blues and in the case of Hepatica nobilus a deep purple. These are really an open woodland plant, and in Australian conditions grow well in filtered light or part shade.
Flowers appear on wiry stems above the foliage which is a deep green.
Hepatica are reasonably drought tolerant in good growing conditions.
Care
These are a plant that like humus rich moist but well drained soil, excellent beneath a deciduous tree where the natural leaf mould provides a compost.
Excellent for planting amongst the Trilliums, Anemones and other non matt forming woodland plants.
Summary Growing Conditions for Hepatica
- Position – Part shade to full shade. Flowers do need good light to open fully.
- Soil – Humus rich moist and well drained. Tolerates clay soils.
- Flowers – Pink, white and purple to blue depending on variety. Flowers are mildly fragrant.
- Foliage – Green and rounded.
- Mulch aroubd the plants each spring to help maintain a cool moist root run.
Hepatica are available for sale from the following nurseries
PO Box 7040 Leura NSW 2780
Rare woodland plants, Trilliums Epimediums, Arisaemas, plus much more.www.lynnsrareplants.com.au
Large variety of Epimediums, Woodland plants and Herbaceous perennials
Mail order or nursery. We do not send to Tasmania or WA
www.cloverhillrareplants.com