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**This is the Plant Reference area of the Wild Ginger Farm website. ** 

Plants listed on this page may not be available for sale at this time.

Please visit our mail order catalog to view currently available plants. 

Some plants are available exclusively at our retail nursery.

 

 

 

Epimedium

 

Ok, let's just get this out of the way at the start.  There are many common names for Epimedium including Fairy Wings, Bishop's Hat and Barrenwort.  The one that really catches your eye, though, is Horny Goat Weed. Epimedium has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine as an aphrodisiac after goat herders reportedly observed the behavior of their goats after grazing on it.  
This is an interesting and useful plant for other reasons, as well.  It makes a nice groundcover in the woodland garden, particularly beneath deciduous trees.  Some species are drought tolerant once established, making them reliable plants for the difficult to landscape "dry shade" areas in our Western gardens.  There are presently 32 species that have been identified in the wild, mainly from Asia, and plant breeders continue to introduce many colorful and interesting hybrids.

 

Epimedium fargesii

Epimedium fargesii© Epimedium fargesii

 

Epimedium fargesii flowers© Epimedium fargesii

 

  

 

Fairy Wings

 

This Chinese species has large toothed leaves and long arching stems to 20" with many delicate flying fairy wings.  Photos just don't do it justice. Grow in part shade, moderately fertile, well-drained soil.   Cut back in early spring for a flush of new leaves.  -30 degrees F   Berberidaceae

 

 
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Nanum'

Epimedium grandiflorum 'Nanum' flower© Epimedium grandiflorum 'Nanum' flower

 

Epimedium grandiflorum 'Nanum'© Epimedium grandiflorum 'Nanum' flower

  

 

Delicate foliage

 

At less than 12" high, 'Nanum' makes a good addition to the smaller scale woodland garden or trough. The nice white flowers emerge just before the leaves in spring. Grow in part to full shade, moderately fertile, well-drained soil.   Cut back in early spring for flush of new leaves.  -20 degrees F   Berberidaceae

 

 
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Yubae' (aka 'Rose Queen)'

Epimedium grandiflorum 'Yubae'© Epimedium grandiflorum 'Yubae'

 

  

Vigorous Grower


 

Long blooming, pink flowers and red blushing foliage in spring make this a very attractive groundcover. 16” x 24" Part to full shade, mod erately fertile, well-drained soil.   Cut back in early spring for flush of new leaves.  -20 degrees F   Berberidaceae

 

 

 

 

Epimedium 'Hot Lips'

Epimedium 'Hot Lips'©Epimedium 'Hot Lips'

 

 

Eye Catching Flowers

 

Hot Lips was introduced by our friend Diana Reeck of Collector's Nursery and it is one of our favorites.  TIt is a vigorous grower with eye catching bright pink flowers in spring and sometimes again in fall.  Part to full shade, moderately fertile , well-drained soil.   Cut back in early spring for flush of new leaves.  -20 degrees F   Berberidaceae

 

 
Epimedium sutchuenense

Epimedium sutchuenense© Epimedium sutchuenense

 

  

 

Colorful Spring Foliage

 

We have also seen this plant sold as Epimedium species ex Sichuan.

It has very attractive red and green colored new foliage, turning green later in the season and lasting through the winter.  It produces great two tone purple and pink spider-like flowers in spring.  12"   Part to full shade, fertile, well-drained soil.   Cut back in early spring for flush of new leaves.  -20 degrees F   Berberidaceae

 

 
Epimedium x acuminatum 'Rainbow Shades'

Epimedium x 'Rainbow Shades'© Epimedium x 'Rainbow Shades'

 

  

 

Attractive Two Tone Flowers

 

From another of our local plant breeders Ernie and Marrieta O'Bryne of NW Garden Nursery comes this seed raised strain.  This selection has bright yellow  flowers with contrasting red bracts and medium sized leaves. Part to full shade, moderately fertile, well-drained soil.   Cut back in early spring for flush of new leaves.  -15 degrees F   Berberidaceae

 

 
Epimedium x perralchicum 'Frohnleiten'

Epimedium x perralchicum 'Frohnleiten'

 

epimedium x perralchicum 'Frohnleiten'

  

 

Attractive Winter Foliage

 

Evergreen groundcover with good winter color and yellow flowers in spring. 16” x 24” Part to full shade, mod to low water, fertile soil. Drought tolerant. Cut back in early spring for flush of new leaves.  -20 degrees F   Berberidaceae

 

 

 

 

Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum'

Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum'

Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphurem' ©

  

 

Great for Dry Shade

 

Spreading, evergreen groundcover with soft yellow flowers in spring. 12” x 15” Part to full shade, mod to low water.  One of the most adaptable, it is quite drought tolerant once established and even handle a bit of sun.  Cut back in early spring. -20 degrees F   Berberidaceae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

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