About
This clump-forming rhizomatous perennial 25-30cm high, evergreen, ternate leaves with narrowly heart-shaped, spiny-edged leaflets which emerge marbled and splashed dark bronze-red in spring and mature to vivid green with red veins, and flowers of lavender-grey sepals, pale pink-lilac petals with white spurs and mouths edged with purple, and prominent yellow stamens, in spring; Epimedium leaves may be used for their nests by leaf-cutting bees.
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
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
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, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade, with shelter from cold, drying winds; where frosts are prolonged or severe, spread an organic mulch such as leaf mould or composted bark to protect plants over winter
PruningNo pruning required, but cutting back in late winter or early spring, before flower spikes form, will improve appearance
PropagationPropagate by division in autumn or after flowering; or by root cuttings of rhizomes, kept under glass in winter, and planted out after all danger of frost has passed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to mosaic virus diseases and fungal leaf spots