Garden Vision Epimediums

choice perennials for the shade garden

evergreen

What’s Ahead & Winter Foliage

Winter color on foliage of Epimedium pinnatum ssp. colchicum 'Thunderbolt'.
Winter color on Epimedium pinnatum ssp. colchicum ‘Thunderbolt’.

January 15, 2022

2021 was a blockbuster year for Epimedium sales. Even though it was my last year for mail order and my aim was to decrease my inventory, I ended up propagating vast numbers of plants just to keep up with demand. Now I know why those furniture stores advertise their “Going Out of Business” sales year after year! They are definitely on to something.

I plan to sell the bulk of my remaining inventory of potted epimediums in-person during my Open Nursery Days, May 4-22, Covid permitting. I have listed those varieties that I have in larger quantities in the Web Catalog. You may pre-order these for pick up during my Open Nursery Days. Other varieties that I have in small quantities are not listed, but will be available for sale as supplies last. I am accepting cash and check only at these sales. I will also be participating in a few other specialty plant sales in the region this year before I discontinue retail sales.

For those of you too far away to visit, I’ve compiled a list of mail-order sources that offer a good selection of epimediums. I’ve also listed a few that sell on-site only. This is far from a complete list, but they are sources which offer a wider variety than is generally available. Many of them have been customers over the years. Please feel free to let me know of other sources that you think I should include.

So far this winter we’ve had a roller coaster pattern of very warm and very cold temperatures, but very little snow. I took a walk around the nursery shortly after the new year to see how the evergreen epimediums were faring. Here’s what I found in my Massachusetts garden (USDA hardiness Zone 5b).

To show the difference between evergreen and deciduous epimediums.
Many people, especially those living in northern states, have questions about the “evergreen-ness” of epimediums. In this photo taken in early January you can see how deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen epimediums react to cold temperatures.

 

Photo showing deciduous Epimedium foliage.
The foliage of deciduous epimediums, such as Epimedium grandiflorum ‘Bicolor Giant’ disintegrates shortly after the first killing frosts in fall. Cut it back before the new growth resumes in early spring.

 

During the winter of 2020/21 the semi-evergreen Epimedium x rubrum ‘Sweetheart’ came through the winter fresh and green. This year’s relatively snow-less winter with extreme temperature fluctuations has caused more foliar burn.

 

Winter photo of semi-evergreen Epimedium x versicolor Cherry Tart showing winter burn.
Semi-evergreen types such as Epimedium x versicolor ‘Cherry Tart’ have foliage that persists in good condition after the initial round of hard frosts, but burns as winter comes on in earnest.

 

To show the evergreen leaves of Epimedium perralderianum.
Many spreading evergreen epimediums such as Epimedium perralderianum have leaves of thicker substance that can withstand extreme temperatures and desiccating winter winds.
Pristine evergreen winter foliage on Epimedium 'Ninja Stars'.
In USDA Zone 7 and warmer areas, the foliage of true evergreen types remains relatively intact over winter unless sited in an exposed area where it may suffer sunburn and desiccation. In colder areas, the leaflets of evergreen types often remain showy through to the new year, after which they typically will display some winter burn. Here, still looking perfect, is the evergreen Epimedium ‘Ninja Stars’.

Unless still attractive in spring, remove the previous year’s leaves before the new growth emerges to avoid damaging the tender young stems. If you leave cutback too long, or just don’t have the time, leaving the previous year’s growth intact can encourage the growth of larger/taller plants with more robust leaves and flower scapes. The new growth typically extends up and above the old growth, and if desired, the latter can be removed later, after the new growth matures.

If you would like to include some evergreen Epimediums in your garden, check out Find Plants/By Growth & Culture/Evergreen on the home page. There you will find a list of good candidates that will add color and texture to your winter landscape.

Karen Perkins