Epimedium Beni-kujaku - Barrenwort

Epimedium 'Beni-kujaku' is a very recent variety of Epimedium with large flowers, that is not yet widely available for sale. This vigorous Fairy Wings is not only one of the prettiest plants for cool shade but also one of the easiest to grow successfully in many regions. Its pretty, large flowers, resemble delicate little white columbines with a lilac-purple hue, gathered in small clusters above a leafy cushion. Its deciduous foliage, tinged with bronze and purple in spring and autumn, highlights the delicacy of this variety, which will thrive in any humus-rich soil that is not too dry.

Belonging to the barberry family, 'Beni-kujaku' Epimedium is derived from the Epimedium grandiflorum, a species native to northern China. This rhizomatous plant sometimes takes a little time to establish, but eventually forms beautiful cushions, with a loose clumping habit, reaching a height of 35 cm (14in) and spreading only slightly, occupying 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in) of space. It produces delicate little flowers, typically in late spring (usually in May), measuring 3 cm (1in) in size, bicolour, and with an original shape. They consist of 4 lilac-purple petals with long spurs, surrounding a white-pink calyx, perched on graceful and flexible stems. It is from this elegance and delicacy that it gets its name, "Fairy Wings". Its foliage is mostly deciduous (evergreen in mild climates) and consists of toothed, medium-green leaflets with red edges, taking on a beautiful bronze in spring and autumn.

Fairy Wings thrives in cool conditions and tolerates competition from other plants' roots, making it suitable for the base of trees and shrubs. A plant for light woodland, it is hardy down to -15°C (5°F) and prefers humus-rich soils, although it adapts well to almost any ordinary soil. The 'Beni-kujaku' Epimedium is more attractive when scattered in sparse clumps rather than as ground cover, and is a useful plant for shaded areas, which are often neglected. It would be a shame to confine it to a utilitarian ground cover role: accompanied by astilbes, ferns, hostas, foxgloves, candelabra primroses, and sweet woodruff, fairy wings will compose a superb mass in light shade.