Epimediums
You can find all our available Epimediums on this page, or you can use the categories at the beginning to refine you choice to botanically similar species or hybrids of that species. Each Taxon category should contain all subcategories and hybrids of that taxon.
Epimediums are a rare thing; they are both exquisitely beautiful and highly tolerant in regard to growing conditions. In British gardens they grow well in all but the wettest and most alkaline soils, with many being very tolerant of dry conditions where they can provide superb ground cover; the Epimedium x perralchicum varieties excel particularly as do forms of Epimedium x versicolor. The one constant is that they all require a degree of shade. Whilst many do cope well with dry shade, more moisture and humus in the soil is beneficial.
In order to best view the flowers, and in many cases to get the best from the beautifully marked new leaves it can be beneficial to cut away all of the old leaves in early Spring just as the flower spikes break the surface. In this way you get the best from the evergreen foliage and the best from the flowers.
The common name ‘barrenwort’ comes from a belief that the root could prevent women becoming pregnant. This may be of some comfort when you consider other common names, such as horny goat weed, which stems from the legend of a Chinese goat herder noticing increased sexual activity in his animals after eating Epimedium. The dried leaves of Epimedium grandiflorum are used as a tonic in China called Fang-chang tsao (translated as ‘give up stick’) on account of its tonic effect on the elderly.
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This is a really showy variety that produces an absolute swarm of flowers in a lovely soft apricot colour. It is vigorous with tall upright flowering stems that produce large, well spaced flowers with petals that shade from lemon yellow at the tip, through orange to a deep but narrow red mouth. Each flower has petals that sweep back like each flower is skydiving. New leaves are heavily splashed with red as a further bonus. E.flavum x E.wushanenseLinks
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Flowers are shaped like a swept back Jester's hat, speckled orange at the centre and very tip, paling to parchment on the arms. Long spiny edged leaves, richly mottled in mahogany and green. A cross between wushanense and rhizomatosum. Very similar to Epimedium 'Bieke'Links
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This is possibly a form of E, grandiflorum with a rather misleading name given the long spurred, brilliant snow-white flowers. The name refers to the pale, yellowy green leaves and the slowly spreading rhizomatous growth habit. The new leaves as they emerge have an elegant well-defined mahogany rim with red freckles. A pretty little treasure 20-25cm high by about 30cm wide for partial shade where it will not get lost in winter and its lovely Spring foliage and flowers can be fully appreciated. It is deciduous. To my eyes it looks a lot like E.grandiflorum subsp. higoense as illustrated in Dan Hinkley's book, The Explorer's Garden. Subgenus Epimedium, Section ii. MacrocerasLinks
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Very well named as the flowers are of just that mix of pale yellow with a tinge of green that characterises that most noxious of elements. However, there the similarity ends as the rest of this plant is lovely. The flowers come in a dense, arching spike with each berberis like flower hanging most gracefully. Towards the end of flowering the outer petals will sometimes stain pink. The effect is quite showy and refined. E.flavum x E.ogisuiLinks
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Jean O'Neill has flowers in one of those colours that is quite unique. The flowers are generous in proportions and production, with each being topped by off white sepals, under which curve petals which shade from dunked rich tea biscuit brown to flesh coloured at their curved tips. Young leaves are suffused with a rich tan and they colour a lovely pinky-red in Autumn, still with the darker red speckles. Raised at Spinners by Peter Chapell from Epimedium davidii seed. Possibly a cross with Epimedium acuminatumLinks
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(E. acuminatum x E. dolichostemon). A hybrid that occurred naturally in the nursery of Mr S.Yamaguichi in Japan. Lovely Bronzed evergreen leaves and large flowers in pink and purple. It has a flower shape intermediate between the parents with tightly curved burgundy petals swept back from a prominent set of yellow stamens, hooded over by pale pink sepals. It can flower up to a couple of feet in height. The winter foliage takes on lovely shades of pink and red, and most resembles the foliage of E.acuminatum, though E.dolichostemon has lent it a little more length.Links
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Flowers appear richly coloured in heavy sprays. The sepals are small and lilac, under which curve much larger petal 'claws', deep purple in the centre fading to near white at the curved tips. New leaves are a fresh apple green, staining orangey red towards the margins and then splashed in rich burgundy. Altogether a most attractive cultivar. Raised by Wendy Perry of Bosvigo Garden, Truro from seed of Epimedium acuminatum, with a form of Epimedium grandiflorum as the other parent.Links
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(E. latisepalum x E. pinnatum subs. Colchicum ) One of the first batch of Epimediums into flower. This lovely hybrid resembles Epimedium v. 'Sulphuruem', or more precisely 'Neosulphureum', but on steroids. The flower stems are tall standing well above the foliage to 60cm. They have widely spaced individual flowers that have palest creamy yellow inner sepals and bright lemon horned petals. The new leaves compliment perfectly in a sienna washed pale green. The whole plant is evergreen, retaining a fresh mid green leaf all Winter.Links
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The flowers consist of a wide open claw of 4 petal horns that are a creamy white, becoming yellow stained towards the mouth. The sepals, which are a similar white, start curved along the petal, later flaring backwards to add more shape to the flower. The leaf edge tends towards smooth with a gently rounded curve to the narrow tip. In Winter the green remains, but is overlain with burgundy tones, especially in the veins. They open with a coppery flush. A species that shows great variability in the wild. Series C - DolichoceraeLinks
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this is Roy Lancaster's lovely collection of this highly variable species. The flowers have the typical heavily clawed form with a gorgeous 2 toned colouring. The Petals are a rich plum purple, whilst the inner sepals are white, flushed with mauve with a little rose and purple where they join the stem. The leaves are long and narrow with edges that are puckered giving then a slightly angular appearance. In winter many of the leaves become very striking, turning a muted orange, splashed all over with crimson. A species that shows great variability in the wild. Series C - DolichoceraeLinks
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A lot like E.leptorrhizum's larger cousin with flowers in a very similar colour. Each flower is 4cm across with soft pink inner sepals above strongly curved white petals which can develop a purple stain at the mouth. They are a little larger than those of E.leptorrhizum, to my eyes a slightly bluer pink and have a more pronounced colour difference between the petals and inner sepals. They are one of the earliest Epimediums into flower. Leaves emerge with a subtle rusty blotching. Originally collected under the name E.leptorrhizum, but differing in the much shorter runners. Series C - DolichoceraeLinks
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The flowers of this species are typical of the series, being a wide spidery cross in an almost translucent pale lemon yellow. The leaves however are something to behold, being large with three arrow shaped leaflets, apple green with a gorgeous variable overlay of maroon blotching. Two botanical details separate this species from the others in its series. The first is that the sepals are not closely pressed to the petals, but instead arch back to give the flower a little more character. The second, which you can be excused for missing, is that the pollen is green rather than yellow. This feature does however give the species its name. Subgenus Epimedium, Section i, C Series - DolichoceraeLinks
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Startling fat goblet shaped flowers of brightest yellow with yellow horns. The sepals are reduced to a little fleck of rusty red which is picked up by the dark red of the new leaves. The flowers are 1 1/4 inches but the 'tube' is flared to make the goblet shaped centre which lends the flower more weight. Originally collected by the French missionary, Pere Armand David. From mountain woods in the Sichuan province. Subgenus Epimedium, Section i, B Series - DavidianaeLinks
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An elegant plant with strong flowering stems bearing a pair of tri-foliate beautiful bronzy leaflets set amongst an elegant spray of pendulous white and violet deeply reflexed flowers reminiscent of a stellar pelargonium or miniature shuttlecock. Individual flowers are 3 - 3.5cm wide with the outer sepals faintly tinged violet creating a delicate starry effect. The inner petals are purple violet and arch back into the sepals whilst the stamens protrude, creating an ochre coloured 'beak'. The flower stems can be between 20-50cm high. The leaves are in 3 leaflets, long, arrow-shaped and a beautiful pinky bronze when young, remaining irregularly red blotched when older. They are softly pink and serrated, thick textured and persist well into winter. The fact that the leaf edges undulate with alternate paler green spines pointing either up or down creates real texture and interest. Originally collected by the French missionary Paul Guillaume Farges in Sichuan province, China. Until dolichostemmon was discovered, this Epimedium was unique for its fully reflexed flowers. Subgenus Epimedium, Section i, D Series - Brachycerae
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Collected by the great Japanese Epimedium expert Mikinori Ogisu you know that this is going to be something good. And so it is. The new leaves are just the most lovely shades of crimson, providing the perfect foil for the bright lemon yellow flowers. It doesn't sound special when written down, but there is just something about the way that the leaves glow that is so right. The way the petals curve inwards can give the flowers the appearance of so many spiders dangling from the arching stems, but that is to deny their undoubted beauty. The flowers are a strong lemony yellow which look absolutely great against the broad foliage. Winter leaves can colour pale ochre with dark pink veins. From Hubei and Guizhou provinces, China. Named by Professor Stearn. Series C - DolichoceraeLinks
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In many ways similar to Epimedium wushanense, but a little smaller (despite being in a different series). The flowers have petals that curve downwards in a shade of pale translucent yellow, stronger towards the centre and on the very tip. They are carried in compound pyramidal inflorescences of up to 30 flowers. The leaves are fresh apple green, paler at first, eventually developing an overlay of red blotching. They are long and narrow with a quite spiky margin. Subgenus Epimedium, Section i, B Series - DavidianaeLinks
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The flowers of this variety are tiny, but more than made up for by the immense profusion in which they are produced creating a cloud of tiny butterflies. Each flower is starry and white, made up mostly of the sepal, with tiny brown incurved petals. The stamens are prominent and yellow so that the overall shape of each flower echoes a dodecatheon. The flowering stems are black, as are the buds which makes a good contrast. Unlike the flowers, the leaves are relatively large, and emerge in a fabulous bright green, heavily overlaid with deep burgundy-red. Subgenus Epimedium, Section i, D Series - BrachyceraeLinks
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Weihenstephan is a typical, but particularly stout form of E.perraldianum. The flowers are rich yellow formed of tiny brown tipped petals and broad rounded sepals. They face outward from upright spikes whilst the new leaves emerge pale yellow-green coloured with a mosaic of red. Shiny foliage forms weed smothering spreading mats.E. perraldianum grows naturally in mountain Oak and Cedar forests in Northern Algeria and North Africa. It is very similar to E.pinnatum subsp. Colchicum, differing mainly in numbers of leaflets and its notably spiny leaf margins. Subgenus RhizophyllumLinks
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This was the first of the camanpulate Epimediums to be discovered. What distinguishes this, and simialr species, is that the petals lack spurs. Consequently each flower is quite simple with just 4 prominent soft yellow petals. The foliage in Winter can take on a multitude of splothched shades of red and green so that they form a harlequin mosaic. Despite being known from collections in 1914, this species was only named in 1922 It was introduced into cultivation by Mikinori Ogisu (OG 93.885). Height 20cm, spreading. Subgenus Epimedium, Section i, Series A - CampanulataeLinks
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Epimedium pubigerum. An evergreen species with more rounded leaves than most growing to 45cm. Flowers yellowish-white with the inner sepals sometimes pale pink. The flowers are relatively small and held high above the foliage. One of the parents of Epimedium x cantabrigiense. Introduced into Britain by Ellen Willmott from a garden in Geneva. Originally from the shores of the Black Sea across to West Georgia. Subgenus Epimedium, Section iv. EpimediumDiscount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
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Exceptionally wide flattish flowers. The sepals are reduced to a small white cross, 1cm across, which backs the yellow petals which themselves are long and curved a bit like a bright sulphur yellow hunting horn. where the colour intensifies in the tip of the petal it is not unlike the eye of a snail. The foliage is claret at first, later becoming green and developing purplish and coppery mottles and splashes with a lovely undulating spiny edge. Flowers are held on tall stems above the foliage. Quickly spreading rhizome. Subgenus Epimedium, Section i. Diphyllon, Series C. DolichoceraeLinks
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Cc 001764. A hybrid with elongated leaflets whose edges are corrugated and tipped with irregular spines pointing in all directions like Jaws himself. As if that wasn't fascinating enough in itself, the young leaves are an iridescent metallic bronze pink, maturing apple green and evergreen. The flowers are large, 4cm in diameter, with small sepals and curving narrow petals, pale lemon becoming richer coloured at the centre. Known in the US as Sphinx Twinkler. A collection by Darrell Probst not yet attributed to a species, possibly as yet undescribed.Links
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The flowers remind us of an upside down quoit board with the petals curving down at 90 degrees to the plane of the flower in a pale lemony yellow. The sepals are a small pale yellow crown. The flowers are borne on long pedicels, hanging below a long arching dark stem like so many spiders. The foliage is long and narrow, sparsely undulating with a spiny edge. When they first expand, the leaves are an ethereal pastel ochre, subtle, but absolutely lovely pale, shiny yellow-green with bronzed flush. They aren't the striking reds and blotched blacks of some of their cousins, but there is something simply enchanting about them. One of the larger varieties with leaves up to 15cm long and flower stalks that can carry up to 100 flowers. From Wushan county in Sichuan, China. Subgenus Epimedium, Section i, C Series - DolichoceraeLinks
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Epimedium x cantabrigiense. (Epimedium pubigerum x Epimedium alpinum) Easy to grow and highly attractive ground cover. 50cm; spreading. Leaves are an asset all year, opening with red netting, colouring rich russet in autumn and remaining all winter. A tall species with upright stems carrying many delicate orange flowers (red and yellow), which, whilst individually small, create an attractive cloud. Occurred as a natural cross in the wilderness garden of St John's College Cambridge during the Second World War, but was only named in 1979.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
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(E.acuminatum x E.fangii) In the wild the ranges of Epimedium species rarely overlap. One exception is where E.acuminatum and E.fangii grow together on Mount Omei (Emei Shan). Here they cross freely and a hybrid swarm occurs. This cross has been designated as E. x omeiense and two clones have been collected by Mikinori Ogisu and subsequently named Emei and Stormcloud. Stormcloud is a vigorous clone with long arching sprays of flowers in a very sombre muted purple tone, altogether very evocative of its name.Links
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Epimedium x perralchicum 'Frohnleiten'. Beautiful tough evergreen ground cover, thirving even in the dry beneath trees. The leaves open an attractive pale ochre-green, beautifully netted with russet tones, colouring well in Autumn (more coloured than 'Wisley' on both occasions). Flowers are like strings of glowing small bright yellow daffodils held upright and above the foliage. A German cultivar selected by Heinz Klose, it has slightly more pointed leaves with a more toothed margin and large flowers held well up. 45cm. Easily grown in any good soil. ( E.perraldianum x E. pinnatum subsp. colchicum ).Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
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Epimedium x perralchicum 'Wisley'. (Epimedium perraldianium x Epimedium pinnatum subsp. colchicum). A selection from the original hybrid, having large flowers and particularly bright foliage. It forms beautiful spreading evergreen ground cover, unrivalled in its ability to march on in really quite dry conditions. The leaves open an attractive pale green; contrasting well with the last years foliage and having lovely red netting. The flowers are like upright spikes of glowing sunshine yellow daffodils. to see them at their best may need you to trim away last years foliage in early spring. 'Wisley' colours a little less in the leaf than its similar cousin 'Frohnleiten'. 45cm. Easily grown in any good soil. ( E.perraldianum x E. pinnatum subsp. colchicum ).Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
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Galadriel' is a form of E.x rubrum that is in essence more rubrum-y. The flowers are larger and more red, tending to lack the central yellow of the type. The Foliage is more robust and better ground cover as well. Altogether a fine variety, though why the name Galadriel was applied, she being the carrier of the white ring and usually portrayed in white is a bit of a mystery.Links
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(E. grandiflorum x E. pinnatum subsp colchicum). Here's something a bit different. Instead of the usual yellow tones of versicolor, this variety has strayed deep into the pink. The sepals are quite broad, rich rosy pink, fading paler as they age. The petals, which are much smaller, nestle below with a spur of rich ruby changing to yellow at the mouth. It is a good grower with leaves of russetty brown over winter and as they emerge. Compared to the other versicolor types, the flowers give the general impression of being a bit rounder and neater.Links
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(E. grandiflorum x E. pinnatum subsp colchicum) This is like a subtle reminder of Autumn in the Spring with the leaves and flowers toning together in perfect harmony. Each flower has soft ruby sepals with smaller petals of creamy- lemon and bright yellow protruding stamens. As the flowers age the sepals fade parchment. This variety has inherited a much more deciduous constitution from E.grandiflorum. It differs from Sulphureum in having distinctly red young foliage and rosy coloured sepals. It is also not as vigorous in growth. It is very similar to E.versicolor 'Cuprea', but has less colour in teh petals and richer coloured new foliage. The differences show when they are side by side, but you might struggle to tell them apart from isolated specimens.Links
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(E. grandiflorum x E. pinnatum subsp colchicum). This variety is very much along the same lines as its cousin Sulphureum, but a little paler and possibly more refined and even more like a diminutive Totnes Turbo. There is a little more contrast in the flower with paler inner sepals and slight ruddy shading to the tip of each petal. Foliage in Winter tends more towards the pinnatum parent and is largely evergreen. It is later in to flower than Sulphureum, so much so that they barely overlap. It has been in cultivation from before 1934, but has never achieved the popularity of Sulphureum. The young leaves are brownish.Links
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Epimedium x warleyense ( Ellen Willmott ). E. alpinum x E. pinnatum subsp. colchicum. The upright stems of delicate coppery orange flowers set this hybrid apart from most epimediums. They are held well up above the foliage in a warm orange haze. The leaves are apple green in a mildly spreading clump that is a little less dense than most species. Height 20-40cm in flower. Originally sent from Warley Place, the Garden of Ellen Willmot, to Professor Stearn as E.perraldianum when he was writing his monograph. Subsequently identified and named by Professor Stearn. for any good soil in partial shade. spring.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
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