Hepatica noblis 2024 Perennial Plant of the Year
- Common Name: Hepatica
- Height: 5-15 cm
- Spread: 5-15 cm
- Exposure: Part Shade, Shade
- Colour: blue-purple; also white or pink
- Bloom Time: Early Spring
- Plant Type: Perennial
- Soil Moisture: Average
- Plant Uses: Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Woodland
- Zone: 4A, 4b
- Fragrance: no
- Recommended: Woodland garden, plant with early blooming spring bulbs such as (Scilla siberica), glory of the snow (Chionodoxa forbesii)
- Description:
Almost the first perennial of spring, Hepatica noblis features dainty, blue-purple simple flowers that bloom on short stalks before the new leaves are out, gladdening our hearts in the first tentative days of spring.
Hepatica also has the common names liverleaf, liverwort, and even squirrel cup.
A low-growing perennial, no more than 5–15 cm high, the flowers emerge first, providing that special delight to winter-weary gardeners. The flowers comprise 5–10 sepals in shades of blue-purple, though white or pink are possible, and three green bracts on short hairy stems. Once the flowers fade away, bright green new leaves appear that remain all season, darkening towards fall and, in favourable climes, remaining green over winter.
- Other: Hepatica is a woodland plant, it loves organic rich, moisture-retentive but well-draining soil, with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Annual applications of compost or leaf mould will achieve the necessary soil condition while buffering our somewhat higher alkaline soils. Fallen leaves are the ideal winter mulch. Additional fertilizer is not required, though if the plants aren't blooming, you might stir in some fish meal in the fall. Can bloom for three weeks.
