About

This low-growing, spring-flowering perennial up to 30cm tall. The leaves emerge brown-red in spring, maturing to green and have a white underside and deep veins. Short stems bear particularly large nodding white-pink flowers.

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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
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
Native toChina

Care notes

CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial shade; shelter from cold, dry winds
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 resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free