NATIVE WILD FLOWERS 



the Snow-flower or Liver-leaf is to Canada. It lingers 

 long within the forest shade, coyly retreating within its 

 sheltering glades from the open glare of the sun, though 

 for a time it will not refuse to bloom within the garden 

 borders, when transplanted early in spring. Doubtless, if 

 properly supplied with black mould from the woods, and 

 partially sheltered by shrubs, it would continue to grow 

 and flourish w r ith us constantly. 



We have two sorts, H. acutiloba and H. triloba. A 

 large variety was found on Long Island in Rice Lake, the 

 leaves of which are five lobed; the lobes are much rounded, 

 the leaf stalks stout, densely silky, the flowers large, of a 

 deep purple blue. This handsome plant throve under 

 careful cultivation, and proved highly ornamental. 



The small round closely-folded buds of the Hepatica 

 appear before the white silky leaves unfold themselves, 

 though many of the old leaves of the former year remain 

 persistent through the winter. The buds rise from the 

 centre of a silken bed of soft sheaths and young leaves, as 

 if Nature kindly provided for the warmth and protection of 

 these early flowers with parental care. 



Later in the season the young leaves expand, just before 

 the flowers drop off. The white flowered is the most 

 common among our Hepaticas, but varieties may be seen 

 of many hues waxen pink, pale blue and azure blue, with 

 intermediate shades and tints. 



This pretty native flower improves under garden culture, 

 forming a lovely flowery border, giving us the very earliest 

 blossoms of April and May to gladden us before any of our 

 garden flowers open. The colors of the pink and the blue 

 deepen in open sunny borders. 



The Hepatica belongs to the Nat. Ord. Ranunculacese, 



