Epimedium Domino - Barrenwort

'Domino' Epimedium is a new hybrid that combines qualities: this Elf Flower is vigorous, particularly floriferous, delicately colored and decorative almost all year round. In April, a mature plant can produce up to 100 floral stems bearing large pink and white aerial flowers well above its foliage adorned with Bordeaux red marbling turning copper and then bronze. A foliage that persists more or less in winter. This Epimedium Domino thrives in partial shade or bright shade, in humus-rich, non-calcareous soil, moist to moderately dry in summer.

Epimedium 'Domino' belongs to the barberry family. It is a recent horticultural hybrid. This rhizomatous perennial plant sometimes takes a little time to establish itself, but eventually forms magnificent cushions, 40-45 cm (16-18in) tall, occupying a minimum of 60 cm (24in) on the ground. It produces, in early spring (usually in April), delicate flowers of original shape. They are composed of 4 petals with long white spurs, surrounding a pink calyx, tinged with ash gray in the center, perched on graceful and flexible stems. It is from this elegance and finesse that it gets its name "Elf Flower". Its foliage, evergreen in mild climates, is composed of serrated leaflets whose speckled and marbled colours change throughout the seasons. The young foliage is irregularly marbled with copper and bronze spots, becoming green as it ages.

Epimedium 'Domino' is a magnificent hybrid to associate with carex oshimensis 'Evergold', Brunnera macrophylla 'Betty Bowring' or Lamium maculatum 'Red Nancy' for example. A plant for light woodland, it is hardy down to -15°C (5°F), it particularly appreciates humus-rich soils, but adapts to almost all ordinary soils. It is a perfect plant for decorating shaded areas, 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, the elf flower will compose a superb light shade border.

Native to Asia and Europe down to North Africa, epimediums are excellent ground covers for shade. More tolerant, but more discreet in flowers, Western species tolerate growing conditions such as dry shade and tolerate heavy or calcareous soils. Asian species, more aesthetic, prefer moist soils, especially in summer, and rich in humus, they appreciate shaded situations.