Hacquetia epipactis
Hacquetia epipactis is not the sort of plant you’ll routinely find in supermarkets, DIY stores or run-of-the-mill garden centre chains. No. Specialist nurseries at plant fairs and online - yes.
I was doing my version of ‘plant hunting’ online one evening, wrapped up in my duvet, looking for plants that grow well in the shade, when I came upon Hacquetia epipactis. I was drawn to it like a magpie bedazzled by a piece of shiny jewellery! Truth be told, it reminded me (a little bit) of a beloved pair of stud earrings that I’d lost.
Hacquetia epipactis is a jewel in my eyes. I absolutely adore it!
Haquetia epipactis has a terminal cluster of tiny, acid yellow florets, which appear before the leaves. The florets are later surrounded by mid-green bracts with serrated edges which look like flower petals. You’d be forgiven for thinking that a single flower consisted of the whorl of mid-green petals (bracts) and a central boss of bright yellow anthers (actually a cluster of florets). The leaves, when they appear as the ‘flowers’ fade, are mid-green too, and lobed with serrated edges.
There is a rarer variegated form named Hacquetia epipactis ‘Thor’. Yellow florets are surrounded by variegated pale green and white bracts. The leaves have narrow white margins. I absolutely adore this too!
Mid spring 2019: Hacquetia epipactis (left) and Hacquetia epipactis ‘Thor’ (right). Both pictures were taken after they’d been recently battered by rain. ‘Thor’ is looking decidedly scruffy!
Hacquetia epipactis is a shade-loving , low-growing, clump-forming plant (Height 10cm; Width 50cm) that is native to mountainous woodlands of Central and Eastern Europe. It was named for the 19th century Austrian botanist and physician Balthasar Hacquet.
It is a herbaceous perennial that makes an appearance from late winter through to early autumn, then dies back and disappears almost without a trace (above ground) for the winter. Flowering starts late winter through to April. They do need to be planted quite deeply, hence the lack of visible plant structures once they die back. Happening upon Hacquetia epipactis when it emerges is always a very exciting and reassuring ‘Ah!’ moment for me. Where there was once bare ground, I catch my breadth and think ‘Oh! You’re there!’, and smile to myself. Every year.
Hacquetia epipactis grows well in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil. Partial shade or even full shade is best as it is a woodland plant. You’ll need to protect young growth from slugs and snails.
I recall the wait I had when I bought my first specimen of the species from a specialist nursery. The plantsman informed me that I’d have to wait a few months, until he felt if was safe to divide his clump. The specimen he sent me is spent some time in a pot but is now thriving in deep, moist (but freely draining) soil that it loves. I have actually divided it once myself (with trepidation!), into three, so I now have three specimens in different locations (one division didn’t make it).
I came upon Hacquetia epepactis ‘Thor’ about a month after I discovered the species. Precious few UK nurseries offer it. I tried to import it from Sweden and Denmark, but that didn’t work. I was relieved when I found a UK supplier who actually had it in stock.
I’ve had my ‘Thor’ for a few years now but it hasn’t thrived particularly well. I’m just happy that it’s alive at all. While it does seem to be somewhat less robust than the green-leaved form (in my hands), I suspect the poor growth is more to do with excessive competition from weeds - couch grass, in particular. Due to their aversion to root disturbance, I haven’t taken the plunge and uprooted it to remove all traces of the grass, which is very vigorous. I’m trying to stay on top of the weeds this year. Maybe that will help. Bad Lola.
06 March 2020: Hacquetia epipactis waking up from its winter sleep. It always looks a bit touch and go to me as it wakes up, with the yellow boss of flowers opening first, followed by green bracts, and then later, leaves. I’ve learned not to worry. Slug and snail deterrence is a must. All things being equal, it’ll come good. I’ll post a picture when that happens.
Before I go, I discovered just today that there is a new (or at least another) name for Hacquetia. It is Sanicula. Sanicula epipactis and Sanicula epipactis ‘Thor’.
I’m no botanist but I am aware that with the advances in genetic testing and other developments there has been a fair bit of upheaval in the plant taxonomy arena. And it is ongoing. Whole families of plants are being reclassified as genetic testing provides more in-depth information than traditional approaches to nomenclature based on factors such as such as physical characteristics. Botanists meet at conventions and have what I imagine are scientific ‘bun fights’, presenting evidence as to why plants that have been considered to be in the same genus or even family for DECADES, are not actually related at all. Changing a plant’s name can cause rifts between scientific ‘camps’ and can lead to one or some groups adopting the new name, and the other(s) not.
I would love to be a fly on the wall at one of those conventions. I think my inner nerd is interested - very interested indeed. I’ve decided that I’m going to see if I can possibly attend one as an observer. Then I’ll tell you all about it. ; )
