Hepatica 'Millstream Merlin'

RHS Plant Profile

hybrid liverleaf 'Millstream Merlin'

Synonyms

Hepatica × media 'Millstream Merlin'

Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial

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A clump-forming, semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial to 15cm, with three-lobed, kidney-shaped, mid-green leaves. Solitary, dark purple-blue flowers with greenish-yellow centres appear in late February to March

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Bushy, Clump forming
Genus: Hepatica are small, clump-forming perennials with 3 to 5-lobed, semi-evergreen leaves and anemone-like, blue, violet, pink or white flowers in early spring
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in humus-rich soils and thrives in heavier soils. Top dress annually in autumn with leaf mould. Resents root disturbance

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in an open frame, as soon as ripe, or by division in spring. Transplants and divisions are slow to establish

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slug and snail damage on young growth

Diseases

Generally disease-free