Why hardy Hepatica nobilis is a jewel of the winter garden
The flowers of H. nobilis sparkle like gemstones in the winter garden
It seems that the smaller the plants the more money we spend on them! At Stockton Bury Gardens we’ve spent a fortune building a large auricula theatre. If you think that's flamboyant, a few years ago an alpine house was erected for our growing collection of hepaticas.
Stockton Bury is just an hour away from Ashwood Nurseries in the West Midlands – home to the UK’s leading hepatica expert John Massey. Every time we visit we add a few more hepaticas to our collection. Those who follow the events at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, may remember his Gold Medal display in the Great Pavilion in 2016. John miraculously held off the flowering of these early spring-flowering plants until May – an incredible achievement and one that saw these tiny plants celebrated like never before.
It would be fair to say that hepaticas, like snowdrops, attract fanatical collectors and experts – I'm not one of those! I simply enjoy having a go and I suggest you do too. To make this often-complex genus seem less daunting I’m focusing on just one species. There are many different species of hepaticas and some need the protection of an alpine house but the ones I want to tempt you to grow are the hardy Hepatica nobilis. These February/March-flowering perennials don’t require a building to be erected in their honour! The stunning, low-growing perennials that reach about 10cm (4in) in height, pretty much look after themselves in the garden if you find the right spot. A native of Europe, they're at home in the garden. In my garden they thrive in a sloping, west-facing border where they're joined by Anemone nemorosa. The hepaticas tend to flower just before the anemones, but they do cross over for a time and offer a glittering display. A quick look at the Ashwood Nurseries website (www.ashwoodnurseries.com) will reveal the wonderful flower colours within the
H. nobilis species. You can choose a white flower with pale blue splashes in ‘Bavarian Blue’, lavender blue flowers from ‘Ashwood Lavenders’, white flowers from ‘Ashwood Whites’ or how about double pink flowers from ‘Rubra Plena’?
Planting and propagation
The best time to plant is in late winter or spring when the ground isn’t frosty. Choose a south, east or west aspect – they'll tolerate an acid or alkaline soil. For best results they need sunshine in spring and shade in summer, hence they're at home under deciduous trees and shrubs.
The leaves are semi-evergreen and start to look a little tired just before the plants flower. It’s for this reason that the leaves are often removed by gardeners. Soon after flowering a fresh crop will appear. The foliage is as attractive as the flowers thanks to its three lobed-shaped leaves with distinctive marbling.
Your flock can be increased by dividing plants in early September or harvest seed fresh. Seed can take up to two years to germinate and needs a period of cold. I’m not that patient so division is my preferred method.
If you have an alpine house there's no reason at all why you can’t grow the hardy hepaticas under glass with the more tender types. Grow in terracotta pans as these assist with drainage, and make a mix of equal parts John Innes No 2, leaf mould and Perlite. If growing under glass you’d be wise to put up shading after they flower. Keeping them under glass allows you to look perfect flowers in the eye.