For many garden owners, the Hepatica is just a small perennial that blooms nicely in shady places.However, some plant lovers think and speak of it with admiration as a coveted goal of their collector's passions.And there is something to strive for! Today there are several thousand varieties, most of them from Japan.
It was in the Far East that patient gardeners initiated the cultivation of liverworts, gradually achieving great results. Lovers and collectors of plants are ready to pay thousands of euros for extremely rare specimens.Don't be scared though.For a small fraction of this amount, we can become the owners of a lovely little collection in our own garden.
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Przylaszczki pospolite Hepatica Nobilis (Photo: Fotolia.com) |
The charm of the hepatica is huge. There is no other dwarf perennial that impresses with a similar variety of enchanting flower forms and colors. Collectors divide the world of liverworts into four groups: middle-
European, South European, Japanese and North American.Varieties of the Central European Hepatica Hepatica nobilis var. nobislis like shaded areas under deciduous trees and shrubs with a permeable, fertile substrateDelicate flowers in white, pink, red and purple colors develop from March to April.
Hepatica transsylvanica is less demanding than its relative. Its varieties tolerate greater sunlight and grow well even in not very fertile soil.Of course, the best conditions are also in shady places, under the canopy of trees and shrubs dropping leaves.Here they will grow wide, creating a compact carpet of evergreen leaves. This species is an excellent test plant for beginner liverwort growers.
North American Hepatica Hepatica nobilis var. acuta and var. obtusa has the same job requirements as her Central European cousin.For many collectors, its few varieties are a nice addition to the cervical collection.A beautiful specimen is, for example, the 'Louise Köhler' variety with full, slightly pink flowers.
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Some varieties of Przylaszczek (e.g. Siedmiogrodzka) are known for their durability and low requirements (Image: Fotolia.com) |
Cultivars of the Japanese hepatica nobilis var. japonica are an absolute revelation and decoration of the collection of many lilacs enthusiasts.First of all, the plants delightwith the exquisite form of flowers , often forming almost perfect geometric shapes composed of petals of various sizes.Sometimes there are also unusual or contrasting color combinations, rarely found in liverworts from other groups.
When buying new, especially more expensive plants, pay attention to their resistance to freezing. We will not have problems with winter cold resistance in the case of specimens from Central European garden nurseries.These liverworts are well tested, because they grew and hardened in our climatic conditions.
