Hepatica Angulosa
Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceæ.
This is a very distinct species. It comes from North America, and is twice the size of H. triloba in all its parts; the leaves are more cut, and very woolly; the flowers are bright mauve, and 1½in. across. All the Hepaticas are slow growers, but H. angulosa is the more vigorous. Some say they should be grown in peat, but I never saw them so fine in peat as in strong loam, well drained and manured; they are the better with slight shade. I do not object to peat, as possibly it may be more suitable than the natural soil of some gardens. Still, if I had to make up a compost for Hepaticas, I should freely use strong loam on a well-drained site. With me they have been in flower nearly three months, commencing in February.
It seems desirable to increase these fine spring flowers, but they are most impatient of being disturbed, and, after all, the increase can exist in no finer form than in big clumps, though when they are to be propagated the roots should be divided before the new leaves are produced, which is during the blooming period. A deeply-dug and well-manured plot should be prepared for them, and their long roots should not be doubled up in the least; they both need and deserve great care.
Flowering period, February to April.