Perennials
Hepatica
Beautiful early spring blooms
Low-maintenance perennial plant
Enhances woodland garden aesthetics
Thrives in
ZONE 4ZONE 5ZONE 6ZONE 7ZONE 8Planting Season:
Year-RoundHepatica is a charming woodland wildflower with low-growing, lobed leaves and dainty, cup-shaped flowers in shades of blue, pink, or white that bloom early in the spring. It is a charming and versatile plant that offers several benefits when landscaping projects. This perennial herb, also known as Liverwort, is native to woodlands and temperate regions and can bring a touch of early spring beauty and ecological value to your garden designs.
Hepatica, also called Anemone americana, round-lobed liverleaf, liverleaf, and liverwort, is a small evergreen perennial with beautiful star-shaped flowers that bloom in early spring.
The Native Habitat Of Hepatica
It grows in open, shady woodlands in the eastern and central United States. In the wild, liverwort is usually found on ravine bottoms, mossy banks, and rocky wooded slopes near other herbaceous plants. The flowers open wide in the sunshine and close up on overcast days and after sunset.
The Appearance Of The Hepatica
Liverwort flowers are usually bright blue or lavender and less commonly white or pink. They emerge in mid-April and last through mid-May. Each star-shaped blossom rises 2"–6" from the ground on a hairy stem-like rhizome. The flowers are ½ "-1" wide and typically comprise six to ten oval-shaped sepals. Mature plants can bloom with more than twenty flowers at a time. After the blossoms fade, the plant grows new glossy and glowing green leaves when they unfurl. These leathery, three-lobed, heart-shaped leaves grow to be 2"–3" wide and darken as they mature, and some have reddish-purple undersides. In winter, the foliage can darken and change color.
Hepatica Looks Lovely In A Woodland Garden
Hepatica makes a lovely addition to a woodland garden, where it can live for many years if left undisturbed. When planted under shade trees with other native plants, it provides a sweet burst of color. The bright flowers make an excellent companion to other early spring flowers like crocuses, bleeding hearts, Dutchman's breeches, and trilliums.
Planting liverwort in your garden is a great way to encourage biodiversity. Though the flowers do not produce nectar, they still attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, beetles, and other beneficial insects that help the plant propagate. Ants take seeds back to their nests, eat their nourishing elaiosomes, and leave them in new territory where they can germinate. In early summer, liverwort produces fruits that become a food source for chipmunks and other small mammals. If you want to add a sweet burst of charm to your landscape, planting it near your trees will bring you springtime joy.
This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery
Bloom Season
Spring
Bloom/Foliage Color
White
Height at Maturity
Under 12"
Care
Hepatica thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Water often to keep the dirt moist but not soggy. In early spring, fertilize lightly with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Remove spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming.
Plant Reproduction
Hepatica spreads by seeds.
Planting bare-root perennials is best in any season if they are dormant; we only sell dormant plants. Planting them year-round is also excellent if you can get dormant perennials. When your bare-root perennials arrive, soak the roots in water for a few hours to rehydrate them. Lant by digging a hole wide enough to spread the roots comfortably and deep enough to place the top portion crown (where the roots meet the stem) at or slightly above ground level. Position the plant in the hole, backfill with native soil, and gently firm the soil around the roots—water well after planting to settle the soil around the plant and eliminate air. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to keep weeds at bay and moisture locked in, keeping the mulch away from the crown. Irrigate plants regularly during the first few weeks of drought; never water in full sun, and water late in the evenings to ensure the roots are established well. Fertilize sparingly in the first year, using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in subsequent years as needed.
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Charming Early Blooms:
Hepatica produces delicate, star-shaped flowers that bring early spring color to your garden. Their subtle beauty is a welcome sight after winter.
Unique Appearance:
Its distinctive flower shape and varied colors add a unique touch to garden beds, enhancing the visual appeal of your landscape.
Shade Tolerant:
This plant thrives in shady or woodland conditions, making it an ideal choice for under-tree plantings or low-light garden areas.
Evergreen Foliage:
Hepatica features attractive evergreen leaves that provide year-round interest, even when the plant isn’t in bloom.
Caring Tips
How do I care for my Hepatica?
Each box contains detailed care instructions and information about your product. But here's the basics.
Care Tips
Hepatica thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Water often to keep the dirt moist but not soggy. In early spring, fertilize lightly with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Remove spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming.
Light Requirements
Hepatica thrives in partial to full shade. It prefers indirect light, as it naturally grows under the forest canopy. Providing filtered sunlight or dappled shade helps maintain its vibrant foliage and ensures optimal growth and blooming.
Hardy Planting Zones
4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8
Frequently Asked Questions
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