About Hepatica Wildflowers
Hepatica is called liverleaf, liverwort and squirrel cups. The given name of liverleaf hepatica is apparent in the shape of leaves, which resemble a human liver. Native Americans in the Cherokee and Chippewa tribes used this plant to aid in liver disorders. This plant is still harvested for its medicinal values today. The leaves are three-lobed, dark green and are covered with silky, soft hairs. Leaves darken as they grow older and become a bronze color in the winter. The plants retain leaves throughout the dormant cycle to give them a head start for early spring blooming. Hepatica blooms occur from early spring until mid-spring for a showy spot of color in your garden. Single flowers bloom on top of upright, leafless stems from the plant and are about 6 inches (15 cm.) tall. The colorful flowers may not open on rainy days, but full blooms appear even on cloudy days with little sunlight. The flowers have a delicate scent that is light, but heady.
Hepatica Growing Conditions
Hepatica grows well in partial shade to full shade and is an excellent specimen plant under and around trees, or woodland settings. This plant thrives in well-drained soil, but also tolerates damp soil in low-lying areas. Few plants can tolerate heavy soils as liverleaf hepatica can. Hepatica seeds are available from both commercial and online nurseries in many varieties and colors. Planting seeds from a nursery is a more viable source than harvesting hepatica wildflowers from a forest. Plant seeds in the summer for blooms the following spring. Summer planting allows the plant to establish itself before the onset of winter and store nutrients for the following year’s blooms.
Hepatica Plant Care
Once planted, additional hepatica plant care is rarely needed, especially if suitable hepatica growing conditions have been provided. You may divide the clumps of plants that multiply after the blooms have ceased to propagate them and add to another area in your garden. Mary Lougee is an avid gardener with over 20 years experience in both vegetable and flower gardening. She composts, uses natural and chemical pest control and grafts plants to create new varieties.
