Epimedium Amanogawa - Barrenwort

Small evergreen undershrubs or deciduous perennials, with delicate flowers. These beautiful shade plants can be grown in borders or in a large shady rockery, preferably along a path. They have varying degrees of hardiness depending on their origin, but all can withstand temperatures as low as -12°C (10.4°F), -13°C (8.6°F) without any protection. Japanese species are generally deciduous. Asian species prefer a soil that remains moist to wet in summer, well-drained, rich in humus, without limestone, and also tolerate shade. They all grow relatively slowly but can live for many years without any particular care.

( E. dolichostemon x E. acuminatum) This very unusual hybrid obtained in Japan is the cross-breeding of 2 Chinese species. The persistent arrow-shaped leaves, 17cm (7in) long and 4.5cm (2in) wide, are initially pale green with red spots, then apple green, and finally dark green. The flowers have wide white sepals that open by turning 180°C (356°F), revealing short bronze spurs with amber tips. These large flowers are borne in groups of 3 on long, slender, upright stems.