Epimediums - Barren-wort, Bishop's hat - or, as E.H.Bowles called them, "happy mediums", are members of the Berberidaceae family. They have a number of relatives, from shrubby Berberis and Mahonia to
Podophyllums and lesser known Bongardia, Diphyllea and others.
Professor W.T.Stearn in his monograph The Genus Epimedium (Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, 2002), metions 54 named species, and over 80 cultivars. The American expert, Darrell R.Probst, has nearly 30 species
as yet unamed. and his catalogue lists many cultivars.
Most species come from China (43 of Stearn's 54), with some from Japan and the Mediterranean lands.
the collection currently has over 78 plant types house in a very dry woodland garden
Epimediums are clump-forming rhizomatous perennials, ideal in a woodland garden with humus-rich, moderately moist (but well-drained) soil though they - especially those of Mediterranean origen - will
tolerate considerable drought. Good ground-cover, since most are low-growing and evergreen; many tolerate moderately alkaline soil. Their somewhat cordate leaves (though there is considerable variation in shape
and size) are numerous and many have attractive reddish or russet colours in spring and autumn.
Usually the leaves are cut away in early spring to allow the young growth to be better seen.
The flowers are relatively small - the largest some 5cm. across;
those with the smallest flowers tend to produce them in large numbers - blooming mainly from mid-April to mid-May. The most common colours are yellow, white, red and purple, in various shades, and most are bi-coloured.
National collection of Epimedium
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Holder: Barker, Mr D G
Address: Mr D G Barker, Stone Pine, Hyde Lane, Danbury , Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 4LJ,
Telephone: 01245 223232
Email : david@stonepine.plus.com
Description: Very dry, small woodland garden
Opening Times: By appt, please telephone
Entry: Free - Donations to NCCPG.
Directions: 1 mile S of A414; turn into Hyde Lane at bend at Runsell Green (immed after Danbury E); 1 mile on R last house before joining major rd.
Facilities: Dogs permitted. Parking available. Toilets available.
E. wushanese 'Caramel'
E rhizomatosum
E. 'Amanogawa'