Liverleaf

Hepatica nobilis

Diminutive evergreen woodland perennial with three-lobed leathery leaves and starry blue, pink or white flowers in earliest spring, often before the new leaves emerge.

Hardiness ratings

Liverleaf hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −34.4 °C to −6.7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H6 −20 °C to −15 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 4–7 −29 °C to −7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–3 −15 °C to 0 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Flowers February–March before the new foliage expands — one of the earliest woodland perennials
  • Evergreen leaves persist through winter (the old name "liverwort" reflects the leaf shape, not any liver tonic claim)
  • Slow to establish but extremely long lived — a textbook ancient woodland indicator in parts of Europe
  • Site in dappled shade in humus-rich, alkaline soil

Pet caution: Liverleaf is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Liverleaf against your zones

Reference

Liverleaf on Wikipedia