Ashwood Nurseries

Ashwood is one of only a few nurseries in the UK specialising in hepatica plants and is unique in that it is the only UK nursery that supplies fresh hepatica seed. The nursery owner John Massey is widely regarded as being one of the UK’s leading experts on hepaticas: he has his own private plant collection and has travelled to China, Japan, Korea, U.S.A. and Europe to see them in the wild. Our impressive record of Gold Medals for hepatica exhibits at RHS London Flower Shows is a testament to the quality of our plants. One of the highlights of the RHS Shows came in 2000 when we joined forces with the Niigata Nursery Association from Japan. Our combined exhibit received the Lawrence Medal, awarded to the best exhibit to be shown at any of the RHS Shows during any one year.

Hepaticas are among the most beautiful flowers of early spring. On bright sunny days their flowers open wide to display their simple beauty and unobtrusive charm. The colour range includes mainly blue, pink and white in single, semi-double or double forms. The colour and form of the stamens also vary so that all sorts of delightful combinations are possible. They are small clump-forming, almost evergreen herbaceous perennials with attractive lobed leaves, usually green, but some varieties having beautiful variegations or marbling on the upper surface.

If you are able to visit our nursery during February and March you will find a good selection of hepatica plants for sale in our attractive sales area. All are subject to availability so, to avoid disappointment, we advise that you e-mail or telephone before visiting. If you are a collector interested in rare or unusual varieties please be aware that advance ordering is essential and that you may have to be prepared to wait a year or two.

We are sure you will enjoy wandering through our show gardens where you will see hepaticas growing with spring bulbs, herbaceous plants and early flowering shrubs. If you visit on 'John’s Private Garden' Open Day in March you will be able to see how John Massey has used hepaticas in his own private garden to stunning effect.

STOP PRESS: BBC Gardeners' World - See it on iPlayer

Rachel de Thame features hepaticas in John's Garden at Ashwood Nurseries. 

Visitors to the Nursery:
Plants (usually 7cm pot size): can be purchased all year (subject to availability).  February to March is the best time to see them in flower. Please contact us before your visit if you are looking for specific varieties.

Mail Order:
Plants (usually 7cm pot size) can be purchased all year (subject to availability).
Plants (bare root) of H. nobilis and H. japonica are available from February to October.
Seed is despatched mid April to mid May, (within 48 hours of gathering as it must be sown fresh). Order by Post advisable: click here for Order Form
A selection of plants can be found on our Online Shop.
Ordering by Post or Telephone is advisable for some of our hepaticas; see More Ways to Order.