Epimedium sempervirens
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ep-ih-MEE-dee-um sem-per-VEE-renz
- Description
-
The common name, Bishops Hat comes from the Epimediums flowers resemblance to headwear worn by members of the clergy, called a biretta. The Latin word semper translates to always, while virens means green. Together they refer to this plant being evergreen.
Bishops Hat is a drought-tolerant ground cover for the shade garden that spreads by rhizomes and is native to Japan. It prefers light to moderate shade in average to organically enriched, medium moist, well-drained, acidic soil. The 1-2 inch blooms are held above the foliage in tightly packed racemes in spring and range in color from white to purple depending on the cultivar. The plant will form nice clumps in time. The foliage is also attractive with spring and fall color changes. It is evergreen in zones 7 and above, while semi-evergreen in cooler zones.
Use Bishops Hat in shady borders, rock gardens, woodland areas or line a walkway. Established plant can hold water through their rhizomes, making this plant both dry soil and drought tolerant.
It is a low maintenance plant, however, any foliage that does not make it through the winter months should be cut down, allowing new growth to emerge. Propagation should be done in the early spring or in the fall.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Mosaic virus can affect the plant. Intolerant of alkaline soils.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Cherry Hearts'
Red edged foliage - ‘Royal Flush’
Redder spring foliage - 'Violet'
Lavender flowers
- 'Cherry Hearts'
- 'Cherry Hearts', ‘Royal Flush’, 'Violet'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Cherry Hearts'
Red edged foliage - ‘Royal Flush’
Redder spring foliage - 'Violet'
Lavender flowers
- 'Cherry Hearts'
- 'Cherry Hearts', ‘Royal Flush’, 'Violet'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Epimedium
- Species:
- sempervirens
- Family:
- Berberidaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used as an effective ground cover and for erosion control.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Shade
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-2 inch spidery blooms in racemes of 8-10 flowers have long recurved spurs. Bloom time is April-May.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- It has both basal and cauline, compound, medium green leaves with pointed, heart-shaped leaflets on wiry stems are red tinged in spring, green in summer and yellow, red, or bronze in fall. 2-4 inches long with spiny margins.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Wiry green stems held above the foliage
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Heavy Shade