Can't grow Hepaticas - any suggestions?

[Tristan_He]

I have been enviously eyeing the Hepatica thread elsewhere on this blog. But to be honest I'd just like to be able to grow bog standard blue H. nobilis. I've tried planting them in several places and they tend to persist for a few years before sort of fizzling out. I'm at 300m altitude in NW Wales, so thin naturally lime-free soil, quite windy and high rainfall. I've tried adding lime but this doesn't seem to help.

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks, Tristan

[Matt T]

Your conditions sound similar to mine. My plants are much happier now I keep them under cover - I am growing in pots of course, not in the open ground. Being a woodlander I believe they prefer drier conditions in the summer.

[Tristan_He]

Hum. Ok thanks Matt. Maybe they just don't like an oceanic climate. Might try a couple in really heavy shade under some hazels, to see if that helps.

And yes I expect our conditions are not that dissimilar. Although my wife lived in Lochcarron when we met, and when she moved south she remarked on what lovely summers we have in Wales!

[Matt T]

Putting them under hazels sounds great.

I have experienced some Welsh summers and have to agree with your wife - they were certainly warmer!

[Hoy]

I have also difficulties growing Hepatica nobilis here at the west coast of Norway but not at our summer house at the south coast. I don't think the climate is the worst enemy though but an insect (weevil?) or something similar. It is a wild population of Hepatica nobilis on an island not far from here and they do very well.

[Alan_b]

Ian Christie wrote some advice here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/nurseryws/040404/content.html

[Tristan_He]

Thanks Trond, Alan and Matt. Maybe I'll give them another try. Saw masses out in Slovenia when we went there this summer, usually in quite dense deciduous woodland on steep limestone slopes - not in flower of course. Along with Hellebores, Aconitums, Astrantia, Cyclamen purpurascens, Asarum europaeum etc.

[Matt T]

Just had a thought: you might try growing them from seed, as they should be self-selecting to you conditions and you might end up with some that will do better. Ashwood's sells fresh Hepatica seed in season.

[David Nicholson]

If it's any consolation Tristan I'm hopeless with them.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Me too, too hot and dry here - not that you would know that today.

[KK-Ann Arbor]

Just had a thought: you might try growing them from seed, as they should be self-selecting to you conditions and you might end up with some that will do better. Ashwood's sells fresh Hepatica seed in season.

I wish Ashwood would export seeds to the US

Does anyone know anybody exporting Hepatica seeds to the US?

kk

[Maggi Young]

Ashwoods WILL send seed to the USA  - though, as might be imagined , there are extra costs involved to comply with USA import regulations     https://www.ashwoodnurseries.com/delivery

[KK-Ann Arbor]

Maggi,

I have already contacted Ashwood and was hold that they cannot.  They are concerned about the viability of seeds going through inspection among other things.  I have given up asking them as I have made a big nuisance of myself to them already.

[kris]

I am from Saskatoon,Canada.
If you want I can send some Hepatica nobilis seeds.
I have white, blue and pink ones.
Also H.transylvanica if you want them.

Please send me a private message.