About

A clump-forming, evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial with ovate to heart shaped, toothed, green leaves, bronze and green in spring, and slender, wiry stems bearing open racemes of spurred, purple to dark pink flowers 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 typeLoam, Clay
Soil pHNeutral, Acid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen, Semi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in a moist but free draining soil in shade or partial shade. Plants benefit from soils improved with well rotted leaf mould or compost.
PruningNo pruning required but any faded older foliage can be cut back in early spring before fresh foliage emerges.
PropagationPropagate by division
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free