Epimedium pauciflorum - Barrenwort

Epimedium pauciflorum is one of the most rewarding epimendiums, due to its ease of cultivation, robustness, beautiful holly-like foliage, and charming columbine-like flowers in shell tones. This perennial groundcover gradually forms a dense and low decorative carpet throughout the year. It works wonders at the base of trees and bushes, as well as in semi-shaded borders, including dry soils in summer.

Epimedium pauciflorum, sometimes considered synonymous with Epimedium platypetalum var. tenuis, belongs to the Berberidaceae family. It is a botanical species native to China, specifically from the Sichuan province where it grows at an altitude of 2000 meters (6562 feet). This rhizomatous perennial plant, which takes a little time to establish, forms a compact ground-hugging tuft that reaches a height of 10-15 cm (4-6in). It is composed of beautiful leathery foliage with undulating and spiny edges, similar to holly leaves. Its leaves are divided into leaflets that are shaped like small hearts and measure 6 cm (2in) long by 4 cm (2in) wide. Their colour ranges from light green with red brick spots to Bordeaux or shiny dark green. Flowering occurs in April-May, sometimes in June, depending on the climate. The flowers are grouped in threes at the top of slender stems. Each flower consists of pale pink rounded sepals and cream-tinted pink petals with silver spurs. The foliage persists in winter, but often dries up in January-February before renewing itself just before flowering.

Epimedium pauciflorum proves to be a dense and robust groundcover, although it goes unnoticed outside of its charming, more white than pink, flowering period. It pairs well with many other perennials and does not suffer from competition with bushes or tall trees.

Epimediums are 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.