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Hepatica

Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
in Plants
Of course now fallen in love with them after watching GW.  Anyone grow them,what conditions do they like,what don't they like?
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I looked at them a very, very long time ago, and decided they wouldn't like my soil, so I didn't bother. They would need to be in pots here. Some aren't as hardy either, although I expect there's a bigger range available now than when I first looked at them.
    They were always very expensive too, although that may have changed too.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Nanny Beach Near to where I live is a shelter, shady rockery. It belongs to the council and is full of overgrown Laurel and weeds. Someone loved it once as there is one single plant of H transsilvanica. It has grown there happily for years. John Massey also has I be a national collection at his  Ashwood Nursery. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Too sunny and dry in our garden. We lost the only one we had. I too fell in love with them again after seeing them on GW. 

    Definitely go to Ashwood. They have an amazing selection. Get your bank loan organised first!
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Also check out Edrom Nursery. They import them from Japan. Prices? Eye watering.
    Sad to say I have lost the knack of growing them. Used to grow them to sell at one time. They are leafy woodland soil loving plants.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Thanks folks. I did look up ashwoods, everything out of stock
     Ah,well you know I'm north facing,plenty of different shade. It did say get European variety, because the Japonica were not hardy in this country
    But,as you know,where I'm situated,I actually have scented pelargoniums in my front and back gardens in pots,all year.£10 each for a 7cm pot
    Palustris,are they fussy about soil type?
  • Bee witchedBee witched Posts: 1,295
    Hi @Nanny Beach,

    I grow Hepatica transsilvanica 'De Buis' .... bought it from Edrom Nursery (I live nearby).
    I've still got the original label and it was £2.50 ... but that was probably about 7 or 8 years ago.

    It is in a shaded, woodland area, and has spread quite a bit so I'll try splitting it after flowering and move some to another area of the garden.

    They are lovely plants.

    Bee x
    Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders  

    A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    edited April 2022
    Palustris is correct.
     I have grown them for years...they like shade, leaf mould, woodland type conditions...same as Trillium and Erythroniums.
    Edrom have 202 named Hepatica.... incredible ones...at huge expense.
    Dearest at the moment is a mere £585.00.
    https://www.edrom-nurseries.co.uk/shop/pc/showSearchResults.asp?VA=0&SearchValues=&exact=0&iPageSize=16&iPageCurrent=1&pageStyle=p&keyword=hepatica&priceFrom=0&priceUntil=9999999&idCategory=0&IdSupplier=&withStock=&IDBrand=0&SKU=&order=2

    You would never buy one of these specials to put outside, to be dug up by cats  or rabbits...but would need an alpine house and bench to display these tiny jewels.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Nanny Beach I think they have always been expensive to buy. H transsilvanica is the most stunning shade of blue. As said it grows here in south Notts but the most important thing seems to be you need to give it exactly the conditions it needs. Ashwood Nurseries also grow amazing Hellebores again expensive. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • WoodgreenWoodgreen Posts: 1,273
    I live not far from the garden featured and visited it some years ago on an NGS open day. It is in an area that is predominantly limestone, and the garden was very interesting. 
    As @GardenerSuze said, it's a case of giving them the conditions they need. I bought a couple of the 'easier' varieties from the plant stall, but lost one to the severe flooding in 2015. The other survives, but blink and you'd miss it! I ought to move it to somewhere safer really, as they are easily swamped by vigorous neighbours.
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    I thought they look similar to saxifraga on gardenersworld. 
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