Epimedium ilicifolium - Barrenwort

Small. evergreen, understorey shrubs or deciduous perennials, which owe their name to the lightness of their flowers. These very beautiful shade plants can be cultivated in borders or in a large shady rockery, preferably along a path to fully enjoy their great beauty. They can all withstand temperatures as low as  -13°C (8.6°F) without any protection. The highly cold-resistant western species can tolerate difficult conditions, such as living in dense shade under trees, in very dry soil or in moist clay soil.  The Asian species prefer a soil that remains damp to moist in summer, well-drained, rich in humus, without limestone, and can also tolerate dense shade. They all grow relatively slowly, but can live for many years in one place without any special care.

Beautiful, glossy, leathery evergreen foliage. The ovate, and pointed leaves, 14 cm (6in) long and 5 cm (2in) wide, have undulate and thorny edges, as sharp as holly. They are initially light green marbled with bronze, then become very shiny dark green. Large flowers are entirely pale yellow.