About

This evergreen perennial, to 35cm in height, forming a clump of red-tinted, light green leaves. Primrose-yellow flowers, 2cm in width, are carried in open sprays.

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, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesRock garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial shade; shelter from cold, dry winds. Can tolerate full sun, full shade or slightly drier soils
PruningPruning is unnecessary. Evergreen foliage can be sheared over in early spring to tidy old leaves and show off the flowers but in cold gardens this may expose new growth to frost damage
PropagationPropagate by division in autumn or after flowering
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevils
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus