Epimedium, Fairy Wings: Planting, Growing and Care

Botany

The Epimediums comprise between 40 and 60 species of hardy perennial plants, either deciduous or evergreen. They are found growing wild from Europe to Asia. Most originate from China, where they typically grow in woodland areas. In France, only one species grows wild: Epimedium alpinum, which comes from Central and South-Eastern Europe and has naturalised in some French regions.

Epimediums belong to the Berberidaceae botanical family, which includes between 600 and 800 species, among which some commonly cultivated shrubs such as barberries, mahonias and sacred bamboo (Nandina).

Epimediums are slow-growing plants with a spreading habit. They never grow very tall, usually around 30 cm in height, never exceeding 60 cm. They spread via rhizomes to form excellent ground cover.

Epimediums flower in spring, typically in April-May, sometimes until June. The flowering period is relatively short. The flowers are gathered in loose clusters. They are borne above the foliage on long, slender and flexible flower stems. The flowers appear to float, as if suspended in mid-air.

The flowers offer a beautiful range of colours: they can be purple, yellow, orange, red, pink or white, even beige or cream… The hues are quite soft and luminous, sometimes in warm tones. Use varieties with light or vibrant colours to brighten up a woodland area and bring luminosity! The flowers are sometimes bicoloured, often subtly shaded (for example, dark pink in the centre and light pink on the outer edges).

Epimediums offer truly original blooms, sometimes quite discreet. The flowers are very small and gathered in clusters. Upon closer inspection, their shapes vary between varieties. Often, they resemble little elf caps. Those of Epimedium grandiflorum, with their very long spurs, resemble orchid flowers or small columbines. The Epimedium stellulatum have slightly more regular flowers, like little four-pointed stars. The Epimedium pinnatum ssp. colchicum has much broader, rounded petals, giving the flower a more vivid and robust appearance.

Epimediums offer a beautiful diversity of blooms! From left to right, Epimedium grandiflorum var. thunbergianum (photo Alpsdake), Epimedium warleyense (photo Chris Mealy), Epimedium stellulatum ‘Wudang Star’ and Epimedium alpinum (photo Anneli Salo)

The flowers consist of eight sepals: four small outer sepals, which fall quite early, arranged around four larger inner sepals, more colourful and resembling petals. The flowers also have four petals, extended into spurs. It is often these spurs, varying in length between varieties, that give Epimedium flowers their unique shapes. They contain nectar. The Epimedium flower also has four stamens at its centre.

As its name suggests, the largest flowers are found on Epimedium grandiflorum, where they can reach up to 5 cm in diameter. In other species and varieties, they rarely exceed 2 cm in diameter.

Epimedium leaves are compound, divided into leaflets. The number of leaflets varies greatly between species and varieties: Epimedium diphyllum has only two leaflets, while other varieties can have up to 17. However, it is more commonly between five and nine. Epimedium leaves are quite thick and leathery. They are cordate (heart-shaped): the base of the leaf forms two rounded lobes around the petiole, and the blade is pointed at its tip. The leaflets of Epimedium versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ have lovely, very soft and rounded shapes. In contrast, the Epimedium ‘Sphinx Twinkler’ has very elongated, pointed foliage with wavy, spiny edges. These leaves are described as sagittate (= arrow-shaped). The leaflets are sometimes toothed, but also more or less spiny along the blade edges. Those of Epimedium pauciflorum, edged with spines, resemble holly leaves.

Epimedium foliage can take different forms: more or less spiny, quite rounded or more elongated… From left to right, Epimedium versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ (photo Salicyna), Epimedium pauciflorum and Epimedium ‘Sphinx Twinkler’

Generally, Epimedium leaves change colour throughout the seasons, particularly in spring when young and in autumn. They then take on beautiful red or brown hues, sometimes purple. The patterns on the leaves can appear as marbling (revealing the green veins), rounded spots, or edging along the blade margins. The Epimedium rubrum has particularly interesting foliage, with a tender green blade marbled with intense red in spring (around the veins which remain green!), then the leaves turn green before taking on a brown-red hue in autumn.

The colourful foliage of Epimedium rubrum

Epimediums can be deciduous or evergreen. Epimedium warleyense, versicolor, pubigerum, perralderianum and alpinum are evergreen. They therefore remain decorative in winter. Generally, new leaves appear in spring, replacing the old ones. The foliage regenerates in this way. Epimedium grandiflorum, on the other hand, are deciduous.

Epimediums bear very dense foliage, which allows them to effectively smother weeds. They form true carpets of leaves, very opaque.

Epimedium also has rhizomes, through which it can spread into a dense mat. This makes it an excellent ground cover!

The fruit of the Epimedium is a capsule, a dry fruit that opens at maturity by two valves to release the seeds. Epimediums cannot self-fertilise. Thus, they tend to hybridise easily in the garden.

The main varieties of epimediums

The Most Popular Varieties

Our Favourite Varieties

Other Varieties to Discover

Epimedium x warleyense - Barrenwort

An epimedium with orange flowers, featuring shades of yellow and red. It will bring warmth and brightness to your flower beds! The leaves are evergreen. They take on reddish hues in spring and autumn.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 40 cm

See the product sheet

Epimedium Amber Queen - Barrenwort

This epimedium offers a soft yellow-orange bloom, which lasts a little longer than other varieties! The young leaves are speckled with coppery brown before turning dark green.

• Flowering time May to July
• Height at maturity 45 cm

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Epimedium grandiflorum Lilafee - Fairy Wings

This variety bears small lilac-coloured flowers, with long, slender spurs that are white at the tips. In spring, the new leaves are purplish. They are deciduous.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 30 cm

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Epimedium grandiflorum - Fairy Wings

The flowers of Epimedium grandiflorum are lilac-pink. The young leaves are bronze before turning dark green. The foliage is deciduous. This epimedium has been awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 30 cm

See the product sheet

Epimedium x youngianum Niveum - Barrenwort

Epimedium 'Niveum' bears elegant pure white flowers. In spring, the young leaves have a bronze-purple hue. They are deciduous. This variety has been awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 30 cm

See the product sheet

Epimedium x rubrum - Barrenwort

A remarkable variety for its superb foliage, marbled with red around green veins, offering a striking contrast. The leaves turn reddish-brown again in autumn before disappearing. This epimedium also bears beautiful small red and white flowers.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 25 cm

See the product sheet

Epimedium pubigerum - Barrenwort

Epimedium pubigerum produces a multitude of small white flowers in spring, with a very airy appearance. Its foliage is evergreen.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 30 cm

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Epimedium perralchicum Fröhnleiten - Barrenwort

This variety bears yellow flowers with fairly wide, rounded petals. The spurs are very short and brown in colour. The evergreen leaves are marbled with brown-purple in spring.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 40 cm

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Epimedium x versicolor Sulphureum - Barrenwort

Epimedium 'Sulphureum' bears soft yellow flowers and superb foliage with fairly rounded, heart-shaped edges, marbled with red-coppery hues in spring before turning green, then purplish in autumn-winter.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 40 cm

See the product sheet

Epimedium Pink Elf - Barrenwort

This is a lovely variety with small soft pink flowers, darker pink at the centre. The leaves are soft green, tinged with purple in spring.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 30 cm

See the product sheet

Epimedium Sphinx Twinkler - Barrenwort

A variety worth discovering for its original foliage, shaped like a very elongated arrow with toothed and spiny edges. It also takes on lovely coppery hues in spring. The flowers are soft yellow.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 35 cm

See the product sheet

Planting

Where to plant?

Plant epimediums in shade or partial shade. For example, you can use them to adorn the base of your trees or shrubs. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight. Generally, they tolerate dense, heavy shade quite well, although the ideal location is in bright, dappled shade. However, Epimedium versicolor and pubigerum tolerate sun better than other species.

Epimediums prefer fairly moist soil. Avoid easily drying soils! However, once well-established after a few years, they become relatively drought-resistant. Epimedium perralderianum, warleyense and perralchicum tolerate dry soils more easily than other varieties. We also recommend choosing a sheltered spot protected from wind.

Plant your epimediums in humus-rich, fertile soil. The ideal soil for them is forest-like, a good woodland soil. It’s advisable to add some well-rotted compost at planting time. Regular additions of organic matter will enrich your soil and help retain moisture.

Take advantage of epimediums to brighten up areas where other plants won’t grow! You can plant them at the back of the garden, in difficult-to-cultivate shady spots. They’ll beautifully fill the space. Use them to suppress weeds and green up slopes or the most remote, shaded areas of your garden.

Epimediums can also be planted in a cool, shady rock garden.

When to plant?

Plant epimediums between late summer and early autumn (September-October), or in early spring.

How to plant?

1. First, we recommend soaking the root ball in a bucket of water to moisten it and encourage establishment.
2. Dig the planting hole. It should be two to three times wider than the root ball. Add some well-rotted compost.
3. Place the epimedium in the planting hole.
4. Backfill with soil and firm down.
5. Water generously.
6. It’s best to apply a mulch around the base of the plant. This will help retain soil moisture and provide some winter protection.

We recommend regular watering during the first year after planting.

Maintenance

Epimedium is a long-lived plant that requires relatively little maintenance. Its dense foliage smothers weeds, making weeding unnecessary. However, some varieties dislike prolonged droughts: don’t hesitate to water during summer, as it’s preferable to keep the soil moist. After several years, though, epimediums become relatively drought-resistant. The Epimedium perralderianum, warleyense and perralchicum are actually the most drought-resistant and can therefore do without watering.

Since epimediums thrive in rich, fertile soil, you can apply well-rotted compost each autumn by spreading it at the base of your plants and lightly scratching the surface of the soil.

Epimedium is very rarely affected by diseases. It may occasionally be infected by mosaic virus, causing leaves to discolour with mosaic-like spots. Vine weevils can also attack epimediums—these are beetles whose larvae feed on the plant’s roots while adults nibble the foliage. To eliminate them, you can use nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora), which parasitise vine weevil larvae.

Some gardeners recommend cutting back foliage to ground level in late winter (February–March) to better showcase new leaves and flowers. However, the foliage protects the plant from cold, and some newer varieties don’t require pruning at all. In any case, if you do prune, do it early—avoid trimming after spring begins to prevent accidentally cutting developing flower stems.

The flowering of Epimedium ‘Amber Queen’

Propagation

To propagate epimediums, we recommend dividing clumps, as it’s the simplest and most effective method. Sowing seeds is also possible, but it takes more time, epimediums hybridise easily, and the seeds don’t store well – they must be sown immediately.

Dividing Clumps

You can easily propagate epimediums by dividing clumps. Preferably do this in summer or early autumn, between July and September.

Identify the clump to be divided, then dig around it quite widely. Lift the root ball and remove any excess soil if necessary. Divide the clump by cutting the rhizomes into several sections, ensuring each piece retains sufficient roots. Each division should have both roots and leaves. Remove any dead leaves or damaged roots if needed. Replant in a new location, spacing plants 30 to 40 cm apart, then water thoroughly.

Association

Use epimedium as ground cover in woodland areas, alongside plants with a wild and natural appearance: with bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), the yellow flowers of cowslip (Primula veris), or the small white blooms of sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), which flower at the same time! Add ferns, hostas, comfreys (Symphytum), and Brunnera macrophylla. This part of the garden will then have a truly natural woodland feel! For an even wilder and rejuvenating touch, don’t hesitate to plant epimediums near a water feature to create a shady, cool scene. Add ferns, Asian primroses, gunneras, or hostas. Enjoy the pink flowers of Primula japonica.

Dryopteris affinis (photo C.T. Johansson), Symphytum officinale (photo Franz Xaver), Epimedium franchetii (photo SB Johnny), Galium odoratum (photo Cbaile19)

You can plant epimedium at the base of your trees and shrubs, particularly those with spring blooms. The shrubs will add height, while the epimediums will beautifully cover their base and suppress weeds. Opt for the elegant white flowers of Exochorda and Chinese snowball viburnum (Viburnum plicatum)… or the delicate pink blooms of ornamental cherry trees. You can create stunning displays by pairing the foliage colours of epimediums with the decorative bark of certain shrubs, such as Cornus. Plant other spring flowers in front of these shrubs to complement the epimediums, such as spring bulbs (daffodils, fritillaries, grape hyacinths…). Also enjoy the bright flowers of wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa)!

Pair epimediums with other decorative and colourful foliage, and incorporate plants whose leaves take on vibrant hues in spring or autumn! For shrubs, consider sacred bamboo, Japanese spireas, Japanese maples, black or golden elderberries, or Cotinus coggygria ‘Golden Spirit’, whose foliage turns beautiful shades in autumn. You can also choose perennials like heucheras or bleeding hearts (e.g., Dicentra spectabilis ‘Gold Heart’!), and ornamental grasses: some sedges and Hakonechloa macra offer strikingly bright, sometimes golden foliage. Also take advantage of ferns with colourful leaves, such as Dryopteris erythrosora or Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’!

Sambucus nigra Serenade, Acer palmatum Villa taranto, Cotinus coggygria Golden Lady, Epimedium perralchicum Frohnleiten, Dryopteris erythrosora, Epimedium warleyense

You can also incorporate epimediums into a shady rock garden. Create a stony setting with large rocks, among which you can plant grasses, ferns, Corydalis flexuosa, grape hyacinths, small daffodils (such as the ‘New Baby’ variety), auricula primroses (Primula auricula), or saxifrages… A mineral mulch can be spread around these plants.