About

A compact herbaceous perennial, to 35cm in height, with broadly-oval leaves, tinged bronze when young, before turning pale green in summer. Flowers open from purple, pointed buds to reveal burgundy and white spurless flowers,15mm wide, 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

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden

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 resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus