evergreen

Epimedium zhushanense

E. zhushanense (Several clones/Cc. numbers)

A new Chinese species, very rare in the trade, discovered near Zhushan and described in 1985. It is similar to E. acuminatum in leaf, flower and its clump-forming habit. The flowers have white or light lavender sepals and deep purple spurs and appear in spring on arching stems. A distinguishing characteristic of its large, evergreen, rough-surfaced spiny leaflets is their wooly undersurface. 8” high.

Epimedium brachyrrhizum ‘Karen’

Epimedium brachyrrhizum ‘Karen’ (Cc. 940526)

After years of trialing this plant against other superior forms of E. brachyrrhizum this stands out as the best for its prolific, large flowers in a soft shade of lavender-pink, combined with large leaves, heavily mottled with deep cranberry-rose in the spring. E. brachyrrhizum just happens to be one of my favorite Epimediums, so Darrell named this outstanding clone in my honor. 7” tall. Evergreen.

Epimedium ‘William Stearn’

Epimedium 'William Stearn' (Cc. 150004)

A hybrid from Robin White of the former Blackthorn Nursery in Hampshire, England. As one of the earliest "red" flowering epimediums, it was named for the late William Stearn who wrote the monograph on Epimediums in 1938 (revised in 2002 by Timber Press).

The arrow-shaped, semi-evergreen leaflets form a handsome clump, exhibiting reddish-brown mottling in the spring. Produces short, few-flowered stems of muddy red and yellow flowers. I have found it to be slow to establish in the garden. The foliage is its greatest asset, in my opinion.

Epimedium acuminatum

Epimedium acuminatum (Cc. 930001)

This species was originally collected by Mikinori Ogisu in the late 1970’s, and first introduced into the U.S in 1982. Several new introductions have arrived since, but this clone is the most dwarf at 8-10”. Relatively small evergreen leaflets, bright green in spring with shadows of purple flecks. The large flowers have white inner-sepals and grape-purple petals/spurs. Foliage 8-10" high at maturity.

Epimedium sp. nov. ‘Spine Tingler’

Epimedium sp. nov. 'Spine Tingler' (Cc. 001764)

***2008 Cobblewood Introduction***

A form of an as yet, unnamed Chinese species collected by Darrell Probst in Sichuan Province. The long, narrow (1”) spiny leaflets emerge with a light chocolate wash in early spring. Later long, overarching stems of large lemon-yellow spidery flowers float over a mass of exceptional evergreen foliage. To 10".

Epimedium ‘Ninja Stars’

Epimedium ‘Ninja Stars’ (Cc. 030301) Plant Patent #29744P2

***2016 Cobblewood Introduction***

A vigorous hybrid of two as yet unnamed, handsome species with particularly nice foliage collected in Sichuan Province, China by Darrell Probst. Long, narrow, very evergreen spiny leaflets form a crown of foliage 10-12” tall. Long sprays of spidery sulphur-yellow flowers scatter above the foliage. The multi-branched, spreading rhizomes grow 4-6” per year. New leaflets display a light bronzy-pink on first and second growth flushes in spring.