Every year the German Loki Schmidt Foundation pronounces a wild flower “Blume des Jahres” – Flower of the Year, in order to draw attention to the fact that certain plants and their habitats are endangered. I was particularly pleased to hear last week that the Hepatica nobilis (Liverwort – Leberblümchen) has been declared Flower of the Year 2013.
I love this flower, and if you saw my post in the spring, you will surely understand why. It is the first wild flower to show its pretty colours in March, sometimes even February. Where we live the conditions are perfect; chalky, well-drained soil, and shady and damp, undisturbed woodland floors.
We are fortunate to have so many in our region, since they have died out in some states of Germany already, and are endangered in many others.
When the Hepatica is flowering, no other flowers are yet in bloom – not even the violets – so I have been confused by one thing; imagine snow-covered ground, leafless trees, barely a hint of spring in the warm breeze, the first blue flowers peeping through patches of melting snow, and ….. a light and sweet perfume wafting in drifts across the footpath. Heavenly! I have never found the scent documented, so unless it’s my imagination I have perhaps just been extremely lucky to smell them! They MUST smell slightly, as ants are attracted to the seeds.
Do YOU know this wild flower?
Beautiful color. Hope the conservation efforts help preserve this wildflower. susie
I will try and grow a pink one this winter, although they are not as hardy as the wild blue ones… Have a good weekend Susie!
one of my favorite native wildflowers that I also did a whole post on…what a great flower to name wildflower of the year.
I just found your post on Hepatica Donna – interesting to hear they grow on the other side of the Atlantic too! I hadn’t heard of the sharp-lobed one – the leaves are quite different. Thanks Donna!
I am not quiet sure. I have to look for next spring.
I would love to know if they grow in your part of Germany Uta. (In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ist Hepatica auf der “Vorwarnstufe”, in Schleswig Holstein “stark gefährdet”.)
Probably. We have old forests. For Lower-Saxony they are noticed east of the River Weser. So next year I´ll go and search them.
Great!
I never even heard of it, it sounds really beautiful,
I wonder if it grows near you… take a walk in some ancient woodlands in early spring!
I was wondering the same thing myself.
I’m quite sure they are to be found in the woodlands around here – your (lovely!) pictures strike a memory. But then my memory is never to be trusted!
We see them at the roadsides here too – a mass of blue among the brown leaves on the woodland floors. Perhaps you’ll notice them next spring. 😀
It’s sold as a garden plant here but not a wildflower. Shame really, it’s a beautiful flower.
It’s difficult to find here – only sold in specialist nurseries or online. I ordered a pink one, as they say autumn planting is best, but it still hasn’t arrived!
I love the bright blue–it must be startling to see them against snow or bare ground.
Yes, in large numbers they really are lovely!
There are a couple of native Hepatica species here, but they bloom later in the spring…
Those are so lovely!
It’s interesting to find out they grow near you too!
I love the color and how the shadow was caught
Eunice
The colour is very vibrant, especially so early in the year – it stands out.
I bet. We get Snow Drops and Crocuses then Daffodils 1st that is if we remember to plant bulbs 🙂
What a beautiful flower! I love the color and the delicate shape!
I find the shape of the leaves interesting, as well as the flower.
What a great idea and way to promote a wild flower. So sda though to hear of its demise in other parts of the country. And so beautiful too Cathy!
I’m glad it is not in danger here – the woods are full of them, and fortunately lots of areas near us are nature reserves too.
This is a great plant and blue flowers really are the best. I also like Soldanellas which peep out from the snow in switzerland. I have been doing a flower of the month on my blog but I am struggling now as winter approaches. It has to be a wild flower and one that grows in the Poitou-Charentes region of France.from
I’m also beginning to think blue flowers are the prettiest. Perhaps you can cheat a little in winter and just highlight seedheads or foliage. Does moss count as a wild “flower”? 😉 It can certainly be pretty! Thanks for your comment – I must take a look at your photos later too. 😀
Yes, seedheads like Spindle and Dog rose Hips had crossed my mind as well but I would like to stick to flowers if I can.
Cathy, ich habe mir gestern bei Buchhandlung Bauer Loki Schmidts “Die Blumen des Jahres” bestellt. Ich freue mich schon darauf, es bald in Händen zu halten…
Das freut mich Elisabeth! You’ll love it!