Hepaticas have become cult plants in some places, vast sums of money being invested in forms with unusual colours or flower structure. Tulip mania again? The original species are just as good, flowering in early spring before or as the new leaves appear. The basal leaves are very characteristic, with three pointed lobes, and the flowers make shallow cups with prominent stamens.

Hepatica nobilis has flowers in various shades of purple and blue, but usually a lovely clear sky blue.