Hepatica 2009

[Diane Clement]

A recent mention of Severin Schlyter, the Swedish hepatica grower, reminded me of this little hepatica. A long time ago, I had some hepatica seeds from the AGS exchange donated by him, and of 2 that germinated, this one has remained with me. It was listed as H. nobilis glabrata dwarf. It is about half the size of the other nobilis, the light green leathery leaves being a max of 3cm across and the flowers about 1.5 cm across on stems about 3-4 cm long. It breeds true and is always white. I've been busily crossing the two remaining plants I have to try and ensure some seed set this year. Does anyone else grow this form? 

I also grow this form, it is sometimes referred to as H nobilis "Compact form".
I have some other Schlyter selected forms, (some an acquired taste with crinkly leaves).  I'll try and get round to photographing and posting them.  John Massey was friendly with him and brought material back to Ashwood, which is where my plants originate.

[Rodger Whitlock]

a very nice pale pink double japonica whose name will need to wait until my friend Kimihiko comes to stay

I'm trying to find as many online images of Japanese double hepaticas as I can. Among the hundred or so I've got on file, the following are double pinks: Akebono, Dewa, Kougyoku (unlikely to be yours), Orihime, Sango-kaku (unlikely to be yours),Shyoujyuno-homare, Taeka, Tamamushi, Toki, Yu-zuru.

While I'm at it, does anyone know of any Japanese-language sites with photos of double hepatica cultivars? The only one with an English-language version is Shikoku, which I've already combed.

[Regelian]

I have but one Hepatica, probably H. nobilis, and it has done well for years, but not really increasing.  I truly appreciate this plant as the intense blue is like an invitation to clear the garden in Spring.  Along with Corydalis and Helleborus, I had wanted to expand my collection of Hepatica under some japanese maples and Hamamellis.  Frankly, I am not sure how to go about it.  Is seed easy?  Do any of these selected varieties breed relatively true, as to say they pass on doubling, striping, etc. or are they still relatively unproductive?  Any cultural hints would be appreciated. 

[Joakim B]

Generally double hepatica do not set seed since the reproducing organs are made into petals.
Fresh seeds are generally not that difficult to get to sprout. Dry seed are much more erradic. There is a strain called indigo that seems to keep the flower colour indigo and there might be other features like marbled leaf forms that will stay in the next generation as well. I think they can come true fairly well from seeds regarding colour if they are pollinated with control. I have not sown any myself but have had help by ants to sow and bees to produce seeds so we have more now but all fairly the same range of blue towards indigo. Like father like son or like mother like daughter. If one only have blue plants one should not expect miracles but having other colurs like the breeders do they have some nice variants that are fairly consistent of the general features but show some nice variation.
Hope You will get more help by others
Kind regards
Joakim

[Mavers]

Here's two photos of a hepatica I had from a friend of mine a couple of years ago as a small division from his main plant. This year it has really put on a show..........

I believe I have the name correct, Shun-Rin.............anyway enjoy!

Hepatica 'Shun-Rin'

[Regelian]

Mike,

could your Hepatica be H. Shirin?  Resembles the foto on Poulsen's site http://alpine-peters.de/shop/ under japonica 'S'.

[Mavers]

I've grown h.Rubra plena before but found it a bit miffy, however the plant in the photos is a good doer.





Also I will enjoy looking at the website you linked me to Regelian.

[Peter Maguire]

Frankly, I am not sure how to go about it.  Is seed easy?

Jaime,

If you have a blue Hepatica nobilis already, you should find that it will produce seed from self pollination. If you take the seed as it begins to fall away from the remains of the flower and sow it immediately, then you should have virtually 100% germination next year, and the blue generally comes true. I've used this method to increase numbers (fairly) quickly to plant up a row along a border.
If you miss the seed, you will find that it will germinate anyway, but amongst the emerging shoots of the parent plant - good for clump forming, but not for spreading through a border.
If you want to add further colours, you will probably have to obtain plants in flower to get whites, pinks etc. There are some good, deep pink single hepaticas that have become available recently.
Peter

[Regelian]

Peter,

thanks for the overview.  I have already attempted a pollination on the opened flowers.  Good to know this was not in vain.

I've been lloking through available and affordable Hepaticas and am curious as to the general genetic.  Obviously, nobilis x transylvanica is possible.  Are other hybrids known?  Are the japonicas actually nobilis hybrids or simply selection?

I was fascinated by the acuta leaf form and plan to add some to the garden.  As these are all forms and subspecies, I will assume hybrids are relatively easy.  Doubles apparently rarely produce pollen or stigma, so how are they actually bred?  Is this simply a chance affair or are doubles in various levels of petaloid formation vs fertility?

Before I go out and purchase a dozen incompatable plants for breeding, what should I avoid?

[Peter Maguire]

Jaime,

I think I'm right in saying that japonica is sometimes regarded as only a variant of nobilis by some authorities. I'm not sure about hybrids, and which ones would be viable, but I think that Hepatica 'Elison Spence' is a hybrid - can't check this for you at present or identify the parents as I'm posting from work, but I may be able to confirm/deny that later.
I do know that one way to get pollen from a double plant can be to repot it. The next year they do not always produce double flowers and there can be a few stigmas with a little pollen. These are then back-crossed onto single hepaticas with all floral parts to obtain a few doubles which are then propagated by division to obtain the desirable named forms that we see at undesirably high prices. A long term project, hence the high cost of the doubles.

Peter

[gote]

While I'm at it, does anyone know of any Japanese-language sites with photos of double hepatica cultivars? The only one with an English-language version is Shikoku, which I've already combed.

Roger,
Try International Hepatica society and possible links. www.ihsj.org If you potter around the site you will eventually find pictures. If you are REALLY interested in japanese hepaticas apply for membership. Unfortunately although they call themselves 'International' not many speak English.
You can also try to google Yukiwarisou which is the most common romanization of the Japanese name which means snow-breaking-herb.
The specialist nurseries have fantastic catalogues. If You twist my arm I might send you one.
Göte

[johngennard]

I don't have the time or patience for selective hybrydising so I cannot contribute on this subject but to Mike whether it is Shim-run or Shin-rum the plant you show from a small division looks to be a very good doer and very attractive too and that is half the battle so stick with it.ORIHEME is very similar but I think darker.However,the flowers show great variation on the same plant depending on the age of the flower so it is very difficult to identify from a photo.

[johngennard]

Gote,I went down this route last year but without success.

[gote]

You have to be persistent. Try this specific page:
http://www.ihsj.org/activity/06.php
The problem is that if you do not understand Japanese you will end up in dead ends.
Göte

[annew]

I happen to grow Hepatica nobilis "Glabrata". My plant was given to me by Severin some ten years ago. It is identical to yours, Anne, as far as I can judge from your photo. My plant is a slow grower but even so it is a strong plant. I have never had attacks by fungus on my plant for example.
The name "glabrata" is botanically accurate by the way as it refers to a scientific study of this particular subspecies in southern Sweden. Since this study limits the range of "glabrata" geographically to Sweden only, similar plants from Denmark listed by Jurgen Peters in his recently published book "Hepatica" should not be named "glabrata" if I am right.

Best regards
Einar

A belated thank you, Einar, for this information. I am happy that there are other plants about.