Description
Hepatica –
There are about 10 species of small, spring forming perennials, in this genus. They occur in woodland in North America, Europe, and temperate Asia.. They have usually liver shaped, 3 to 5 lobed, simple or toothed, dark green, basal leaves,, often purple beneath, sometimes marbled silver or white. The solitary, bowl to star shaped flowers usually open before the leaves have fully developed. They have brightly colored, petal-like sepals with an involucre of 3 leaf like bracts immediately beneath them. Suitable for a shady site in a rock or woodland garden.
Grow in humus rich moist but well drained, neutral to alkaline soil in partial shaped, Hepaticas thrive in heavy soils. Divide in spring.
Prone to rust, leaf smut, snails and slugs.
H. acutiloba – Sharp-leaves hepatica – This slow growing perennial from Eastern USA grows 3″ tall and 6″ wide. It produces rounded or liver shaped, 3 to 7 lobed, mid green leaves, 1 ½-3″ long, the lobes deeply cut and sharply pointed. In early spring, bears cup shaped, blue, pink, or white flowers, ½-1″ across.
Zones 4-9
