Native range of Japanese hepaticas

[Rodger Whitlock]

At http://www.skalnicky.cz/Hepatica.php there are good maps showing the natural range of the various species and sub-specific forms of Hepatica. Regrettably, I do not read Czech, and the only online system I can find that handles Czech-to-English translation produces results that are worthless.

The map of Japan is of particular interest, as it shows that Hepatica japonica f. magna, the progenitor of most of the Japanese doubles, occurs along the shore of the Sea of Japan on Honshu. If the map is accurate, it explains why the Japanese double hepaticas are slightly tender, for they grow not far from the sea and its moderating influence.

[gote]

There is also usually heavy snow cover in that area
Göte

[Rodger Whitlock]

There is also usually heavy snow cover in that area

Which implies that the plants do not dry out in winter.

[Gerdk]

There is also usually heavy snow cover in that area

Which implies that the plants do not dry out in winter.

.....  And also an excellent and reliable protection against freezing. Even plants from the northern parts of Japan could be less hardy than expected from latitude.

Gerd

[johnw]

There is also usually heavy snow cover in that area

Which implies that the plants do not dry out in winter.

.....  And also an excellent and reliable protection against freezing. Even plants from the northern parts of Japan could be less hardy than expected from latitude.

Gerd

We find some of the Hokkaido bamboos to be tender or not top hardy here.  Some of the Skimmias from Hokkaido are just plain tender.

Mountains of snow does wonders.

johnw