Hepatica acutiloba
sharp-lobed hepatica
Overview
Hepatica acutiloba is a low, clump-forming woodland perennial growing 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) tall and about as wide. The basal leaves are three-lobed with pointed tips, leathery, and mottled green to bronze-purple, persisting through winter before new growth replaces them. In early spring, before the forest canopy closes, slender hairy stalks carry solitary flowers 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) across in white, pink, lavender, or blue, each with six to ten petal-like sepals. Flowering occurs from March to April. The plant grows from a short rhizome and spreads slowly into small colonies. Native to rich deciduous woodlands of eastern North America, it grows in moist, humus-rich soil over limestone in dappled shade. H. acutiloba is separated from the round-lobed H. americana by the sharp points on its leaf lobes and bracts. It establishes slowly and recovers slowly from disturbance once settled, so division is a gradual process. The overwintering leaves can look tattered by spring and are sometimes removed as the flowers emerge. It is hardy to USDA zone 3.
Native Range
Native to rich, deciduous woodlands of eastern North America, from Quebec and Ontario south to Georgia and west to Missouri. Often found on wooded slopes over limestone or other base-rich soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in shade and woodland gardens, along shaded rock outcrops, and in native-plant collections. Planted in drifts 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) apart, it forms a low early-spring groundlayer beneath deciduous trees and shrubs.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 6"
Width/Spread4" - 6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowers open from March to April, among the first woodland plants to bloom. Each plant produces several solitary flowers over two to three weeks, in shades from white through pink to blue-lavender. The petal-like sepals close at night and in cloudy weather.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White, pink, lavender, or blueFoliage Description
Green to bronze-purpleGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Hepatica acutiloba grows in partial to full shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil with a near-neutral to alkaline pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Steady woodland moisture and a leaf-litter mulch suit it through the growing season. The plant is hardy to USDA zone 3 and needs no winter protection. It establishes slowly and recovers slowly from transplanting, so settled clumps are left in place. Slugs may damage emerging foliage and flowers. No fertilizer is needed beyond annual leaf mold.Pruning
No routine pruning is required. The previous year's weathered leaves may be trimmed away as flowers emerge in spring to expose the blooms. Spent flower stalks can be removed after seed set if self-sowing is not wanted.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons