Epimedium pinnatum subsp. colchicum

Epimedium pinnatum subsp. colchicum

 

 

Common name: bishop's hat, horny goat weed, fairy wings

Family: Berberidaceae

Leaf: Basal leaves are biternate (9 leaflets) or pinnate (5 or 11 leaflets). Dark green leaflets are up to 3" long, have red or white surface hair (maturing to hairless) have acute tips, cordate bases and serrated margins.

Flowers: showy, racemes are up to 3/4" wide, feature bright yellow petal-like inner sepals, red spurs, and minute brownish petals. Blooming in spring (April- May). Racemes are on leafless stems rising up to16" tall.

Habit: rhizomatous evergreen perennial; Form: clumping

Height: 0.75-1.5'; Spread: 0.75-1.5'

Culture: Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers loose, organically rich loams with even moisture in part shade. Tolerates drought once established. Tolerates dry shade! Dense clumps slowly spread by rhizomes. Evergreen foliage in mild winter climates. In colder climates, cut back winter foliage in late winter/ early spring (March).

Uses: understory groundcover, en masse, mass in woodland gardens, wild gardens or naturalized areas. Also effective in partially shaded areas of rock gardens and border fronts. Grows well under trees. Edger for paths and walkways.

Origin: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey