Early year gems
Words and images: Paul Cumbleton, Team Leader (Alpine Section)
The Alpine section at RHS Garden Wisley grows a range of Hepatica species and cultivars. Outdoors, groups of Hepatica nobilis can be seen in the small woodland area at the western end of the rock garden and in the bed under the large oak tree at the top of the rock garden. Many more are grown in clay pots and displayed in the Alpine House when in flower. About half of our potted collection is forms of Hepatica nobilis var. japonica.
Recently an increasing range of spectacular colours and forms from Japan has become available in the UK, albeit at a high price (some forms do not breed true from seed so are propagated only by division- a slow process).
We find these Japanese forms a little less hardy than the European ones. This, together with the delight of examining their flowers close up, means they are more suited to pot culture.
Double-flowered forms are always popular, such as stunning blue and white ‘Kimon’ (top) and ‘Seizan’(left), but single blooms can be equally attractive; ‘Hyou-junka’ (above) with pure white anthers contrasted against magenta petals is a treasure, while a really good blue, single flower is for me unsurpassed by any of the more fancy types.
Hepatica leaves (left) can also be attractive and give interest to the plants when out of flower. Some enthusiasts have thus bred forms particularly chosen for their intriguing leaves.
One such breeder was a Swede, Peter Schlyter, who when he sadly died a few years ago kindly bequeathed his collection to Wisley. He bred plants with all kinds of interesting leaves – some highly marbled, or ruffled edged or dwarf or unusual shapes. This combination of exquisite flowers and interesting leaves is what has made Hepatica hugely popular.