In many regions of Central Europe, the blue of the liverworts (Hepatica nobilis) in the forest, tending slightly towards violet, indicates the beginning of spring. A settlement of the liverwort in the garden is worthwhile in places that are otherwise difficult to green due to lack of light.
Hepatica grows wild on shady forest floors
Basic information on choosing a location
As a typical forest floor plant, the liverwort does well in full summer shade as long as it gets enough light in spring. Therefore, do not plant liverworts under evergreen trees, but preferably under deciduous trees such as hazel, forsythia and witch hazel. A location under trees with large-sized foliage is also suboptimal for the needs of the liverwort, as this foliage covers the ground too extensively.
The right soil for the liverwort
In nature, liverworts grow particularly frequently in humus-rich and slightly stony forest soils. The substrate should be able to store enough moisture or, if necessary, be mixed with chopped branches. Small doses of garden lime (9.70€) can have a positive effect on the growth of the liverworts.
tips and tricks
Even with a successful settlement of the plants in the garden, you need a little patience until the slow-growing little flowers have multiplied into extensive stocks. The self-seeding of the liverwort is usually supported by ants, which sometimes use the seeds as food and therefore transport them in and out of their burrow.