About 10 species of small perennials from the northern hemisphere formerly included in Anemone. They are clump-forming, with evergreen or sometimes deciduous, long-stalked, three to five-lobed leaves and solitary six to ten-tepalled flowers, each one above a whorl of green, sepal-like bracts.
Good plants for a rock garden or woodland area. They grow best in sloping areas which are moist and well-drained and prefer sites which are light in winter and shaded in summer (for example, under deciduous trees) shade. They also make excellent alpine house subjects for a winter and early spring display. Moist but well drained, humus-rich soil and partial shade are required, though sunny sites are tolerated if the soil is moist. Propagation by division in spring after flowering, or early autumn. Seed can also be sown, ideally as soon as ripe, in a cold frame or outdoors, and in common with many other woodland species will germinate the following spring..
a, H. acutiloba; b, H. americana; c, H. nobilis; d, H. transsilvanica;