Hepatica Special with John Massey of Ashwood Nurseries (Talking Dirty Ep 117)

This week Alan and Thordis are excited to bring you a joyful special focussing on Hepaticas with their chief cheerleader, John Massey of Ashwood Nurseries. His book, 'My World of Hepaticas' (with Tomoo Mabuchi), is a veritable treasure trove of information (and downright divine photographs!)
In this episode of Talking Dirty, we meander through the different species (including which should tolerate a garden situation) and discuss everything from botany to John's anecdotes from years tracking them down in the wild. And of course, we detour via several other plants as well. It wouldn't be Talking Dirty if we didn't do that!
PLANT LIST
Galanthus 'Veronica Cross'
Galanthus 'Wasp'
Hepatica japonica var. nipponica f. candida
Hepatica transsilvanica
Hepatica japonica var. nipponica f. magna
Hepatica japonica var. pubescens
Hepatica japonica var. nipponica f. magna
Hepatica americana
Hepatica americana var. acuta (syn H. acutiloba)
Hepatica americana var. acuta x H. nobilis
Trillium nivale
Daphne laureola subsp. philippi
Hamamelis
Cyclamen coum
Miscanthus
Pennisetum
Lewisia cotyledon 'Harold Judd'
Hepatica 'Millstream Merlin'
Helleborus (Rodney Davey Marbled Group) 'Anna's Red'
Helleborus × ericsmithii
Hepatica maxima
Sorbus 'Olympic Flame'
Hepatica insularis
Hydrangea serrata
Hepatica x schlyteri (H. nobilis 'Stained Glass’ x H. maxima)
Macodes petola
Hepatica nobilis 'Stained Glass'
Hepatica 'Louise Koehler'
Anemonella thalictroides f. rosea 'Oscar Schoaf'
Hepatica japonica 'Mori'
Shortia
Hepatica 'Millstream Pink'
Prunus 'Kursar'
Polypodium

[@fionayoung5622]

Fabulous session, as always. John Massey is another gardening treasure. Thank you!

[@brianskeys622]

One of the best!

[@simonwhite5535]

Wonderful episode, what a lovely man!! ❤

[@williamh5103]

Dear me, wonderful, a true plantsman!

[@kerrilee9651]

What beautiful flowers. I think I have heard the before but not sure. I know what theyare now. Thank you Thordis and Alan for this great guest. 🏵

[@delphinium3822]

My goodness always a pleasure to see John, the consummate plantsman and his amazing hepaticas. We were so pleased to have a visit to his amazing hellebore house one year when they were in full flower and he showed us his favourites then. This year we were a bit early on the snowdrop day and a couple of weeks later would have been better. The best episode so far!!

[@christopherhills1609]

Highly enjoyable….love all the experts you guys bring onto your podcasts Could you bring John back to talk about hellebores?

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

I love putting my garden to bed. Lol. ---- Out of interest, dark hellebore sepals are very good for making plant dye/ink. I have been using Anna's Red to make printing ink and it gives great colour.