Hepatica acutiloba
sharp-lobed liverleaf
A low, clump-forming, semi-evergreen perennial to 15cm tall. The rounded or kidney-shaped, occasionally marbled leaves up to 8cm long have deeply-cut, sharply pointed lobes and turn shades of russet red and deep purple in autumn. Bowl-shaped flowers are held erect on hairy stems and appear before or during the emergence of new foliage in the spring. Each flower is up to 2.5cm across and usually white but may be shaded pale pink or pale lavender-purple
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Pink Purple White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Purple Red Green | |||
| Winter | Purple Red |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical 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
Correct
- Plant range
- North America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows well in humus-rich soils and thrives in heavier soils; best in part-shade. 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
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.