About
A clump-forming semi-evergreen perennial, to around 40cm high, with leaves divided into three narrowly heart-shaped green leaflets, with spiny edges and long pointed tips. Leaves emerge pink-tinted in spring, along with sprays of small, spidery yellow flowers, borne on wiry stems above the leaves.
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 typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
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, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Native toChina (Hubei, Guizhou)
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, with shelter from cold, drying winds. Thrives in dappled shade but will tolerate full shade. Where frosts are prolonged or severe, spread an organic mulch such as leaf mould or composted bark to protect plants over winter
PruningClip back old leaves in late winter or early spring, before new flower spikes form
PropagationPropagate by seed, 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 virus diseases