So many of my favorite Northern Illinois native wildflowers are ephemeral, but the earliest bloomer of them all definitely is not. Hepatica nobilis var. acuta (f/k/a Hepatica acutiloba), also know as sharp-leaved hepatica, is in fact evergreen.
It's called sharp-leaved or acuta because the leaves come to a point,
distinguishing it from another native Hepatica, H. nobilis var. obtusa (f/k/a Hepatica americana) or round-leaved hepatica.
distinguishing it from another native Hepatica, H. nobilis var. obtusa (f/k/a Hepatica americana) or round-leaved hepatica.
(Photo taken January 2008.)
Notice the difference in leaf shape. The flowers are indistinguishable, but H var. acuta blooms earlier. Both are small plants with flowers that open in the sun, although H. var. acuta is slightly larger.
This plant shows half of the winter leaves trimmed off to better display the blooms. It is planted at the foot of a Cottonwood tree, so it clearly tolerates dry shade. The old foliage still shows a vestige of its fall coloration.
This plant shows half of the winter leaves trimmed off to better display the blooms. It is planted at the foot of a Cottonwood tree, so it clearly tolerates dry shade. The old foliage still shows a vestige of its fall coloration.
It's at its most vibrant in November, when this photo was taken.
The plant blooms before the new foliage emerges.
These flowers are mostly white, but they show traces of pink. Last year, they were more blue.
Photo taken April 6, 2009
The new leaves emerge green and remain attractive all summer.
Photo taken May 2009, shown with Trillium grandiflorum, Viola labradorica, Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), and shooting stars (Dodecatheon media alba).
If you have shade, why not give this little charmer a try?
Hepatica nobilis var. acuta (Hepatica acutiloba)
Zones 3-7
Partial shade to shade
Prefers moist soil but will tolerate dry shade
Height to 6 inches
Blooms March-April, foliage evergreen
Associates well with ferns, trilliums, and other woodland wildflowers
Native to Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin
Thanks goes to Gail of Clay and Limestone, for coming up with Wildflower Wednesday to celebrate the beauty of our wildflowers.
23 comments:
MMD~I love this flower...and this year it has more flowers then ever~either it liked the rain or extra cold weather! I never knew it could be so lovely in the fall!By then it's hidden by the soloman's seal...Thank you for joining WW and
also for letting me know to look for fall color. gail
It's lovely! I like that you showed the difference between the two. I will be on the lookout for it. I don't think I've ever seen it before.
Such a sweet and beautiful flower. H.
I'll have to be content with seeing your pictures, since it won't grow down here in hot and humid zone 9.
Very beautiful, MMD. I love the flowers. I've never grown it. Don't even know if I can.~~Dee
Such a sweet-looking flower. Beautiful.
I do fancy giving some Trilliums ago this year I do like the look of them
I'm convinced I need to add some wildflowers to my garden! Your hepatica is a real beauty. I'm glad Gail decided to make this a monthly meme for all to join in because I'm getting quite an education on wildflowers here.
Hope you're enjoying spring break with the kids, MMD. Irish dancing looks like so much fun. I remember the years of driving my kids all over the place for their different activities; it was tiring at the time, but I think back on it wistfully now. Enjoy this time with them!
Beautiful. I have a shady spot under some trees that this little plant might like. :)
This is a beauty. With that closeup photo I thought it was a crab tree bloom. Just gorgeous. I will try to find some of this. I have lots of dry shade.
Hepaticas are really great little plants...I should add them here!
Wow that is really pretty. I love the stamens. Both of the species look really pretty in their leaf form, and I love any plant that has good fall color in the leaves. Moist soil I could not do, but I've got some dry shade!
Hepatica is a plant I enjoy mostly for its leaves. (not that the flowers aren't cute!) I think I planted one last fall but darned if I know where!
It really is lovely. I'm always looking for more natives to add to my wildflower garden. This looks like a very nice choice.
Marnie
Gail - I'll try to remind you in October to look at the Hepatica foliage.
Tina - I know several mailorder places have Hepaticas.
Helen - they are rather sweet, if you like fuzz.
Cindy - sorry, this one of the rewards for shoveling snow.
Dee - you might be able to grow it in full shade.
HM - thanks!
PG - I wish Trilliums liked my soil, I'd have tons of them.
Rose - I'm enjoying it too, learning about unfamiliar wildflowers.
Nancy - they are small enough to tuck in just about anywhere.
Lisa - I wonder if Hepaticas are related to apples?
ROR - yes, get some Hepaticas. They are terrific.
Bloominrs - if they'll grow in my dry soil, they should do fine for anybody.
Diane - new ones are hard to find because they have fewer leaves. Hopefully, you'll see blooms soon.
Marnie - I don't know why Hepaticas aren't more popular.
A nice little welcome to spring this flower! How wonderful to have an Irish Dancer in the house! Wow, they have been busy dancers. Ah, snow covered spring flowers, I remember them well in the 60’s while living in TN.
Those hepaticas are gorgeous! I love wildflowers too, and hope to add these beauties in my garden in the future. Thank you for writing this wonderful blog and hope to see more Northern Illinois native wildflowers in your garden blog.
Mine are growing at the foot of a giant arborvita so they definitely do well under trying conditions. Seneca Hill Perennials (they do mail order) has a number of Hepaticas from Eastern Europe in intense pinks and truer blues.
It is a lovely little thing. Nice photos!
What a sweet little beauty! I could certainly find a good home for it here.
Beautiful photos!
Skeeter - I'm sure you don't miss the snow on the flowers.
Thanks, Lily! Wildflower season is just getting started here, so there will be more wildflowers and more photos of them.
Ms. Wis. - I have been tempted by Seneca Hills's Hepaticas. I was trying to stay pure with them, but if they're all Hepatica nobilis, what's the point?
Layanee - thanks!
Kerri - It would do well for you, along with the fancy ones from Seneca Hills.
My hepatica (planted about 4 years ago) didn't come up this year. Yours look great which makes me want to buy a bunch this year and try it again.
I love your photos! They remind me of the wildflower walks I took with my mom when I was very small.
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