Hepaticas make their first appearance

I have Hepaticas planted in half a dozen locations around the garden. Some are varieties I ordered from specialty nurseries and some are native plants that came over the fence from my neighbor's wildflower garden. The Allen Centennial Gardens on campus recently posted a photo of a beautiful clump of these charming little flowers. Mine, alas, have been very shy about making an appearance. They are definitely sulking with our continuing stretches of cool and cloudy weather.

Luckily they look intriguing even when they are just beginning to appear (above and below).

Straight Hepatica species.

H. acutiloba f. rosea

H. maxima

Despite the tag in the ground next to this plant, I am waiting for its neighbors to appear so I can decide who is who in this group of three plants. 

H. acutiloba 'Silver Leaf'

When the sun was out, the light seemed to wash out many of the photos I took. And the minute the sun disappeared, so did the flowers. I was amazed at how tightly they would close up just when I thought the light would be perfect to capture them. Maybe this weekend they will be a little more accommodating to this photographer.

Comments

[Lisa at Greenbow]

Sweet little flowers. I don't have any of these in my garden. Hmmmmm I do have some other wild flowers. My trillium is FINALLY spreading. It has been in the same place for years. I am glad it finally decided to spread. More to look forward to.

[Beth @ PlantPostings]

They are pretty little things. Definitely harbingers of spring. I like the straight species on this one the best...something about that particular shade of soft blue.

[Peter/Outlaw]

Wow! They really do look intriguing when they first emerge and charming thereafter. At one of his talks, Dan Hinkley spoke nostalgically about hepaticas carpeting the forest floor in your part of the country. What a sight that must be. You've got some beauties making their spring debut!

[rusty duck]

I have some growing from a seed sowing last year. They are tiny and definitely no flowers yet. Living in hope.