Epimedium x versicolor Sulphureum - Barrenwort

Epimedium versicolor 'Sulphureum' is a hardy understorey shrub that thrives in shady situations.  Epimedium is adorned with beautiful copper-colored foliage in spring, green in summer, and a lovely purple hue in winter. It produces charming panicles of small sulphur-yellow flowers with cream sepals in spring. Its spreading habit makes it perfect groundcover for shade or partial shade, under large trees, on the edge of woodlands, or in a rockery.

Epimedium versicolor 'Sulphureum' belongs to the Berberidaceae family, like Mahonias. It is a rhizomatous plant that takes its time to establish well, but once in place, it forms beautiful carpets with loose tufted growth, reaching a height of about 40 cm (16in) and the same in width. Its evergreen foliage is composed of heart-shaped, dentate leaves that are copper-coloured in spring, green in summer, and beautifully purple with the onset of winter cold.  Epimedium versicolor 'Sulphureum' produces delicate and elegant flowers in April-May, which appear in panicles of sulphur-yellow flowers with cream sepals. Its growth will be faster and more vigorous in humus-rich and moist soil, but it also adapts to drier conditions.

The Epimedium 'Sulphureum' thrives in damp shade and tolerates competition from other plants' root systems as long as the soil is not too dry in summer. It is a plant for light woodlands and is hardy to -20°C (-4°F). It particularly appreciates humus-rich soils but adapts to almost any ordinary soil. Epimedium 'Sulphureum' is a plant which effectively covers and flowers in dark areas, accompanied by astilbes, Arisaema, Bleeding Hearts, Ferns, Hostas, Foxgloves, Primula vialii, and sweet woodruff. It will create a superb light shade border in damp soil. You can also plant this vareity with other species and cultivars of Epimediums to vary the colours of the foliage and flowers.