Hepatica

[Michael J Campbell]

 

[RickR]

They're all !!!

When I was a kid, my family would spend most of our spring and summer weekends  at our cabin in northern Minnesota.  I was constantly exploring the rocks, hills, lakes, streams, swamps and bogs (I guess I should be saying fens).  Although the hills were not that high, and swamps not that low, it was the most rugged country for many, many miles around.  I briefly toyed with the idea of hybridizing Hepatica americana when I found a colony that tended toward five lobed leaves, while others had richly colored flowers with beautifully frosted picotees.

I'm glad I didn't embark on that!  I would be left in the dust.  But I do still grow, in my garden down here, descendants of transplants from our land up there.  It's surprising how much dryness they can tolerate in the shade.

[Hoy]

I try to grow Hepaticas in my garden but it is difficult as some critter devour the plants. It is however no option to grow them in pots as I am away for long periods in summer.
But when I see all the very gorgeous liverworts here I am tempted to try!

[Paul T]

Oh Michael. 

Your previous ones were lovely, but that last lot!! (where's the smiley for fainting!?  )

BEAUTIFUL!!  Thanks you.

[Michael J Campbell]

 Just three today,thanks Karl.
Hepatica  Japonica Kuukai.
Hepatica   Japonica Purple nidan saki,
Hepatica  Japonica Tosen. sorry this one is a little out of focus.

[McDonough]

Michael, I find all of these Hepatica to be supremely desirable. The "Purple nidan saki" one is an eye-catching beauty, a unique color.  Can you tell us approximately how expensive it is to buy these plants.  Do you import any plants from Japanese nurseries, or are most of them available in European nurseries?  And, do you harvest and grow on your own seed to see what the hybrid progeny might be like?  Thanks for continuing to feed our eyes and souls with such delights.

[Hoy]

I have never dared starting collecting liverworts - I had never been satisfied and always wanted more and more!
Besides, some culprit often devour my few hepaticas
But it is a pleasure and a tease to see the beautiful plants here

[Michael J Campbell]

Mark,yes they are expensive from about £35 to £200 ( sometimes £350) per nose. I bought a few five years ago but now I trade with other like minded folk and that way build a collection. A lot of them are available from one or two or nurseries in England (Edrom & Paul Christian)who import them from Japan, but as you can see from the prices above one would to mortgage the house to buy them. I do pollinate them and grow the seedlings on to flowering size as do some of the folk I trade plants with. Occasionally one can get a nice one and can then swap with others for something We don't have.

Cheers.

[AmyO]

Absolutely amazing plants! Can you go over the best way to divide mature plants and your tips on sowing seed? I live in the woods here in Vermont where there are loads of colonies of Hepatica and would love to collect seed and/or divisions as some of the color variations are quite beautiful!

[Michael J Campbell]

Plants can be divided at the start of the growing season or in the Autumn. Just dig a plant,shake of the excess soil and pull it apart leaving each piece with one nose and some root.plant immediately and never let the roots dry out. (a dry Hepatica is a dead Hepatica) Seeds should be harvested when they fall from the plant if you touch it gently. They must be sown immediately they are harvested and kept damp and shaded  until the following spring, when should germinate freely. Pot them on as soon as they have developed their first true leaves, keep shaded and feed weakly weekly. They should be ready for planting out in the autumn.

[Michael J Campbell]

Hepatica japonica to-sen
Hepatica three step double
Hepatica japonica   'Murasaki'
Hepatica  Japonica akafuku,

[Paul T]

Michael,

You have an absolutely amazing collection of Heps. 

[Hoy]

Michael, please tell me if you ever get more seeds than you manage to grow! I'll buy the surplus seeds right away

[Michael J Campbell]

Hoy, I will put your name on my seed list.

[Hoy]