About
A low, clump-forming, semi-evergreen perennial to 15cm tall. Each flower is up to 2.5cm across and usually white but may be shaded pale pink or pale lavender-purple. Bowl-shaped flowers are held erect on hairy stems and appear before or during the emergence of new foliage in the spring. The rounded or kidney-shaped, occasionally marbled leaves up to 8cm long have deeply-cut, sharply pointed lobes and turn shades of russet red and deep purple in autumn.
About the genus
Hepatica are small, clump-forming perennials with 3 to 5-lobed, semi-evergreen leaves and anemone-like, blue, violet, pink or white flowers in early spring
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy, Clump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Native toNorth America
Care notes
CultivationGrows well in humus-rich soils and thrives in heavier soils; best in part-shade. Top dress annually in autumn with leaf mould. Resents root disturbance
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in an open frame, as soon as ripe, or by division in spring. Transplants and divisions are slow to establish
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slug and snail damage on young growth
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free