Round Lobed Hepatica

Iris GW

21 years ago

We find it here in the northern part of Georgia. It is often near the trunks of trees.

It is one of the earliest flowers to bloom, very welcoming.

They are native in every state(except LA) east of the High Plains. We find them occasionaly on rocky or sandy deciduous woodland slopes. They are a delightful garden plant that blooms very early in the spring. They are very easily moved. When I rescue them from construction sites, i always transport them bare root and plant in a sandy loam soil, often with sharp gravel mixed in, as they seem to prefer very sharp drainage.

Related Discussions

Where to find Hepatica plants

Q

Comments (11)

Oops! Forgot to include this argument. The Flora of North America, a joint project between the Missouri Botanical Garden (MOBOT) (http://www.tropicos.org/)and Harvard Univ. (http://efloras.org/), does not necessarily follow the Taxon presented by BONAP/USDA. The incomplete Families are "farmed" out to willing Universities/Colleges/Organizations for compilation of the necessary data that is to be included. Since many individuals are involved, it is only natural that preferential Taxon will be included. If their argument holds sway with a reviewing panel, that's what is published. The FNA is being published in 30 volumes (Oxford Press NA), about half (14) have been completed and released. The completed volumes are available online (by Family name). See link. Once published, it is "cast in stone". I've not heard of any supplemental updates being periodically provided. frankielynn__ Please accept my apology. I did not intend to hijack your post. Hope you are able to find the blue Hepatica you want. Don Jacobs is a longtime and dear friend and I phone him frequently. He is elderly and lives alone, so I have concerns about his well-being. On my next call, I will inquire about blue Hepaticas. I once grew several vivid colors, including blue, of Hepatica japonica, but they have all perished. They were a better potted plant, than a garden plant. Here is a link that might be useful: Flora of North America/families

Hepatica

Q

Comments (3)

If you have the round-lobed species, Hepatica americana, there is probably no definitive answer. They sometimes go dormant in the summer and reappear in the spring, but some do not. They require sharp drainage and are usually found on sandy or rocky slopes in deciduous woodlands. Of the many I have planted in the garden over the years, only a few have survived. Have had more success growing them in pots, with a well drained soiless mix. The sharp-lobed species, Hepatica acutiloba, seems to be more tolerant of soils and location, once they become established. In my garden, they seldom go dormant in summer and remain evergreen, even during drought conditions and with some afternoon sun exposure.

round-lobed hepatica in full bloom

Q

Comments (3)

Dorothy, I noticed the first one in bloom Wed. while walking the dog, but it is the only one I've seen so far. It has been so dry here for so long that the winter wildflower season is pretty poor so far, but I'm hoping the recent rainfall we received will help the spring wildflowers. It is too late, of course, for the wildflowers which typically sprout here in the fall and overwinter as small rosettes before resuming growth as winter temperatures warm up--they never sprouted back in the fall. That means we'll have our second "below average" wildflower season this year. Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) just started blooming in our yard Thurs., which is the same day that our "Jane" magnolia bloomed and our second plum tree began blooming too. It is sort of early for them, but we've had temperatures this past week in the 80s and even hit 90 degrees one day, so it is not surprising that everything is blooming. Now that the temps are colder, I bet the trees will slow down a little. Dawn

Winter Sowing in the MIDDLE zones: 5, 6, and 7 (native seed list)

Q

Comments (0)

vbain

21 years ago

We have these on Manitoulin Island.

knottyceltic
Original Author

21 years ago

Interesting...quite a widely spread plant for sure.

Thanks for your comments. :o)

Barb
Ontario, CANADA

fairy_toadmother

21 years ago

i have had the opposite experience that stonybrook describes. hepatica that i have attempted to transplant does not survive. maybe it was me?

very pretty flower and foliage!

User

21 years ago

They grow well here in western OR, though not native. I used to see this species and it's pointy cousin wild in WV mostly in shady gorges.

Has anyone grown this plant from seed? I'm trying this season by a variety of methods and would like to hear of successes & failures by your methods.

Best,
Ross

ahughes798

21 years ago

I have the sharp-lobed hepatica at my place..it was transplanted from SE wisconsin and has been doing quite well for the last 3 seasons. I dug the plants, had them stored in boxes in my dark garage for 2+ weeks, and they came back the following spring. They're tough plants, they have to be.

The round lobed hepatica, which you have, is indicative of a more sandy type soil, from what I understand, and is harder to find...in my area for sure. It's more common closer to Lake Michigan, where the soil is sandier.

They are beautiful, very early bloomers. Ants are the main propagators of this plant..they take the seeds underground for food. Some of them sprout...and there you have the next generation!

mikeybob

21 years ago

If you haven't seen the Japanese double flowering hepaticas you might enjoy the pictures at thimblefarms.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Double Flowering Hepatica

Round Lobed Hepatica

Comments (8)

Iris GW

stonybrook

Related Discussions

vbain

knottyceltic
Original Author

fairy_toadmother

User

ahughes798

mikeybob

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Round Lobed Hepatica

Comments (8)

Iris GW

stonybrook

Related Discussions

vbain

knottycelticOriginal Author

fairy_toadmother

User

ahughes798

mikeybob

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

knottyceltic
Original Author