Hepatica
( hep - PAT - ik - uh )
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At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Liverleaf or Liverwort, this genus is filled with delicate flowering perennials that require partial to full shade and regular water to perform well. Flowers bloom in early springtime, atop stems that rise out of the previous year's foliage. After bloom, older leaves fade and new ones emerge, ready to support the next season's flowers. These small flowers are great for woodland areas and rock gardens, and can also do well when planted in containers in shaded areas of the patio. Take care when planting these flowers in the garden as plant parts are poisonous to humans and pets when consumed in large doses. Foliage can cause contact dermatitis.
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Hepatica Species and Varietals
The genus Hepatica is a member of the plant family Ranunculaceae and includes 7 species. It was first described by English botanist Philip Miller in 1754, placed in the genus Anemone. It was later segregated into its own genus. Liverleaf grows best in zones 1-6 and 14-17. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Hepatica acutiloba (Anemone acutiloba, Hepatica nobilis acuta) (Sharp-Lobed Hepatica) This species is native to eastern and central North America. Leaves are leathery and divided, and flowers come in blue, pale rose-purple and greenish-white. Stems reach 9 inches in height. These flowers love growing in deciduous open wooded areas. |
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Hepatica americana (Round-Lobed Hepatica) This species is native to eastern and central North America, and have 3-lobed leaves. Flower stems reach 6 inches tall and support flowers that come in light blue, pink and white. |
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Hepatica nobilis (Hepatica triloba, Anemone hepatica) (Common Hepatica, Liverwort, Liverleaf, Kidneywort, Pennywort) This species is native to Europe and is similar to Hepatica americana. Flowers are blue-purple for the most part, but there are varieties with white or pink as well. Plants reach between 2 and 6 inches tall when in bloom; flowers emerge directly from the rhizome, not from a stem above ground. Leaves emerge during flowering and remain green through the winter months. |
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Hepatica transsilvanica (Large Blue Hepatica) This species is native to the Carpathian Mountains in Romaina, and is a popularly grown garden ornamental. Flowers are light blue to lavender in color, held on short stems that bring the flowers just above their green foliage clump. |
Caring for Hepatica
Hepatica, or Liverwort, is considered an easy-care wildflower, and grows well in most garden spaces. They prefer to be planted in a sunny, sloped area. Ideally, they should be getting at least 6 hours of sun each day for best flowering and foliage growth. In the warmest months of the year, they will appreciate some filtered shade. They do well when planted in somewhat sheltered areas under deciduous trees or shrubs, and often grow near rivers and streams in their natural habitats. Soil should be well-draining, nutrient-rich, and not have any zones of compaction. The ideal pH range for Liverworts is between 6.0 and 8.0. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. After planting, lay down a thick layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention.
Water newly planted Hepaticas regularly to help them develop strong root systems. At maturity, these plants are drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone with some supplemental waterings in the warmest months of the year. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Prune off spent flowering stems to tidy up appearance.
Water newly planted Hepaticas regularly to help them develop strong root systems. At maturity, these plants are drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone with some supplemental waterings in the warmest months of the year. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Prune off spent flowering stems to tidy up appearance.
Propagation
Hepatica, or Liverwort, can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Hepatica, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Hepatica by Seed
Propagating Hepatica by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Hepatica by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
- In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Hepatica by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.
Hepatica seeds are nestled in the center of three leaves at the top of flowering stems once blooms have faded. They dry out and turn brown as they mature.
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Hepatica seeds.
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Problems and Pests
Hepatica, or Liverwort, can have issues with the following pests and diseases in the garden:
- Aphids
- Powdery Mildew
- Greenfly
- Vine Weevil
- Slugs and Snails
- Rodents
Gallery
Hepatica flowers prefer filtered sun during the warmest months of the year.
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Flower colors vary within the genus, from white to pink to blue-purple.
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This garden features Hepatica, Hosta, Hydrangea, and Ligularia planted under a deciduous tree.
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These flowers love well-draining soil, and are commonly found growing on sloped areas.
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Hepatica flowers will attract pollinators, like bees, butterflies, and moths, to the landscape.
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Liverwort plants can be grown either in the ground or in containers.
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Videos
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Hepatica is included in this run-down of great Mother's Day small bloomers.
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See Hepatica in its native habitat.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 359, Hepatica
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