Epimedium
Barronwort, Bishop's hat, Fairy wings
- Height × spread
- 0.15m – 0.6m × 0.2m – 0.7m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These are beautiful woodland plants that make spreading domes of foliage. Some forms, such as Epimedium grandiflorum, have very beautiful spring foliage that has coppery tints, fading slowly to green. Other varieties, such as Epimedium x rubrum, are red. The delicate spring flowers are in shades of white, cream, pink, yellow and purple. Most varieties stand around 30cm to 45cm in height. Some fairly unusual varieties have more architectural growth habits and beautiful and unusual foliage. Epimediums are tolerant of dry and shaded positions, but do best when some moisture is available.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Rose, Violet, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Brown, Green, Purple, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.15m – 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.2m – 0.7m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Small scale garden, Shady court, Rock garden, Prairie garden, Herb garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Maintenance
- Some varieties are easycare (low/no maintenance)
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
AutumnNow
Autumn · Planting
Remove offsets to create new plants
Offsets are small plants or shoots that develop around the parent plant. They should have developed a root system of their own before they are detached. They can be planted directly, or grown in pots if so small they could be 'lost' in the garden.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Found in
More Epimedium
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Lilafee'
Longspur barrenwort, Long spur bishop's cap
Epimedium x youngianum 'Roseum'
Garden hybrid epimedium, Young's barrenwort
Epimedium 'Akebono'
Barrenwort, Bishop's hat, Fairy wings
Epimedium 'Amber Queen'
Barrenwort, Bishop's hat, Fairy wings
Epimedium 'Black Sea'
Barrenwort, Bishop's hat, Fairy wings
Epimedium 'Sunny and Share'
Fairy wings
Epimedium acuminatum
Barronwort, Bishop's hat, Fairy wings
Epimedium alpinum
Pink epimedium, Alpine barrenwort