It's good to know about leaves and hepatica. For the last several years I have been putting in three (count 'em) hepatica bulbs, (corms?). So have about 15 in place now with another three coming this spring. I didn't know they did not do well under a heavy leaf layer. Just this year I've been leaving the leaves in my shady back area where I have a lot of ephemerals. I'm watching closely to see them emerge. Seems it's taking longer this year but that might be expected since they don't get as much sunlight and so warmth under the leaf litter. We'll see how it goes. In the past I have raked out the beds where they are, shredded the leaves and put them back into the beds to build up the soil but now know that just leaving the leaves in place is better. It does also save a good bit of time for me in leaf raking time is which is much appreciated.
Really appreciate your blogs! Now I know why I’ve had a hard time with Hepaticas. Leaving the leaves is not always a good thing! Fortunately I uncovered my remaining one soon enough for it to recover.
It's good to know about leaves and hepatica. For the last several years I have been putting in three (count 'em) hepatica bulbs, (corms?). So have about 15 in place now with another three coming this spring. I didn't know they did not do well under a heavy leaf layer. Just this year I've been leaving the leaves in my shady back area where I have a lot of ephemerals. I'm watching closely to see them emerge. Seems it's taking longer this year but that might be expected since they don't get as much sunlight and so warmth under the leaf litter. We'll see how it goes. In the past I have raked out the beds where they are, shredded the leaves and put them back into the beds to build up the soil but now know that just leaving the leaves in place is better. It does also save a good bit of time for me in leaf raking time is which is much appreciated.
Thank you, Joseph’
Railroad right of ways are an interesting place to look for remnant plant habitats, especially in the prairie states.
Interesting... I'll have to explore some!
Thank you for the informative article. I loved it!!
Really appreciate your blogs! Now I know why I’ve had a hard time with Hepaticas. Leaving the leaves is not always a good thing! Fortunately I uncovered my remaining one soon enough for it to recover.