About
A clump-forming rhizomatous perennial up to 45cm high, with evergreen leaves of long, heart-shaped, spiny-edged leaflets up to 6cm long, which emerge mottled with deep red in spring and mature to green, and stems up to 30cm long of spidery flowers, 4-6cm across, of white or red sepals and pale yellow petals with long, broad spurs, in spring, and sometimes from early summer to early autumn; 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 hardinessH7
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
Native toChina
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 seed, sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as they are ripe in late summer; 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