About
Epimedium davidii, David's barrenwort, is a deciduous, clump-forming perennial to 30 cm tall with bronze-tinted, toothed foliage in spring turning light green when mature. Yellow, long-spurred flowers to 2 cm, opening beneath russet-brown sepals, are carried on coral-red stems in spring. A beautiful and refined epimedium for a shaded, woodland border.
About the genus
Epimedium, the barrenworts, are rhizomatous perennials with evergreen or deciduous, ternately or pinnately divided leaves, often attractively tinted or marbled, and open sprays of small, spurred flowers in spring. Excellent ground-cover plants for dry shade.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesRock garden
Native toW China
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial shade; shelter from cold, dry winds. Can tolerate full sun and slightly drier soils
PruningCut back old foliage in late winter or early spring for the best display of new foliage and flowers
PropagationPropagate by division in autumn or after flowering
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevils
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus