Epimedium, Bishop's Hat, Bishop's Mitre, Red Barrenwort

Superb foliage that lasts all season even in dry shade.

The flower display doesn't last long, as a second set of leaves e...Read Moremerges and covers the flowers long before they're finished---to see them, you need to lift the foliage. If you want a longer flower display, there are more suitable epimediums.

This is its third year in a very shady, sheltered, moist spot. It has taken off, and is shooting out new red-rimmed foliage like crazy. B...Read Morelooms were legion this year as well, go to use them as cut flowers.

One of the most common barrenwort sold in Minnesota - 'Lilafee' comes in second with any others tie for a far 3rd place. Most companies ...Read Moretend to charge higher price for this plant, usually 20 dollar for one gal.

It is interesting to know that one parent is alpinus - I have the species - hard to find - and it have far smaller flowers compare to Rubrum - also may have given it zone 4 hardy as some of the other grandiflorum are not hardy here in Minnesota - the many grandiflorum varieties may be from different environment? and thus their hardiness may vary - Lilafee is solidly zone 4 hardy. Many companies call it 'Rubrum' for the cultivar name. It is a very lovely plant - the flowers can be a bit shy but look exotic when lifted by the hand and looked at closely. This is strongly zone 4a hardy, maybe even 3b. Will grow well in woodland shade but dislike be crowded by other plants - have shallow very thick rhizomes that vaguely look like skinny tropical ginger rhizomes.

Grown epimediums for many years. Look best in moist (free draining) organic soil in partial shade to shade. Look great during the growing...Read More season. Many kinds of flower shapes, sizes and colors. Beautiful in bloom esp. if planted in mass.