Barrenwort

Epimedium grandiflorum f. violaceum | Also known as: Fairy wings, Bishop's hat Epimedium Violaceum | Rating: 0 votes | Print / Pdf

Epimedium grandiflorum f. violaceum is a flowering plant originating from Japan. It has pretty pale lilac flowers with curled petals in a cross shape, they grow on narrow wiry stems. The oval leaves are a pale green, but they start out life a bronze or purple colour. It's a great plant for ground cover in a dry and shaded part of the garden. It needs rich soil and it will benefit from protection from the wind. It will grow well in the shade of trees, preferring clay or loamy soil and soil that's either neutral or acidic. A really pretty species.

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Plant
Known dangers?
  • no
Height [m]
  • 0.2 - 0.3
Spread [m]
  • 0.25 - 0.3
Dominant flower colour
  • Purple
Flower Fragrance
  • No, neutral please
Flowering seasons
  • Late spring
Foliage in spring
  • Green
Foliage in summer
  • Green
Foliage in Autumn
  • Green
Propagation methods
  • seed
  • division
  • rhizome cuttings
Growth habit
  • Clump-forming
Environment
Acidity
  • Acidic
  • Neutral
Hardiness zone
  • Z5-8
Heat zone
  • H8-5
Winter temperatures [°C]
  • -29 - -7
Heat days
  • 30 - 120
Moisture
  • well-drained but frequently watered
Soil type
  • Clay
  • loams
Sun requirements
  • Partial shade
Exposure
  • Sheltered
Usage
Standard category
  • Flowers & bulbs
  • Perennials
Grown for
  • Attractive Flowers
Creative category
  • For Beginners
  • We love the dark
  • Colours
  • Tough survivors
Garden type
  • Woodland
  • Rock garden
Garden spaces
  • Underplanting
  • Borders
Gardening expertise
  • beginner
Time to reach full size
  • 2 to 5 years
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