About

A clump-forming, evergreen perennial with leathery, narrowly heart-shaped leaves blotched with maroon when young. Large, spidery flowers with white sepals and pale yellow petals are produced on branched, more or less horizontal, stems in spring.

About the genus

Epimedium are rhizomatous perennials with evergreen or deciduous, ternately or pinnately divided leaves, and open sprays of small, bowl-shaped flowers, often with prominent spurs, in mid to late spring

Growing conditions

SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in full or partial shade; shelter from cold, drying winds
PruningCut back old foliage in late winter before new flower stems emerge for the best display of new foliage and flowers
PropagationPropagate by division in autumn or after flowering
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus