Fairy wings 'Niveum' Epimedium x youngianum 'Niveum'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ep-ih-MEE-dee-um yun-ghee-AH-num NIH-vee-um
- Description
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Snowy Barrenwort is used as a ground cover in shady areas. It grows 6-8 inches tall and spreads 1-1.5 feet. The heart-shaped foliage forms attractive clumps and is red-streaked in spring, green in summer and bronze-red for the fall. The pure white flowers appear in clusters on red stems in mid to late spring. The plant spreads by rhizomes.
Preference is for moist to dry average to enriched garden soil in part to full shade. It is drought tolerant once it is established. Shear the foliage in late winter before new growth appears. Cutting back will provide the optimum conditions for its flowers and foliage to put on its best spring display.
Use this plant in woodland gardens, along shady walkways, under trees or in rock gardens.
Differing from other species of epimedium, this plant is not evergreen and its flowers bloom later in the spring.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Aphids can spread mosaic virus. Vine weevils are an occasional problem. Protection from cold, dry wind is recommended.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Epimedium
- Family:
- Berberidaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Use as a ground cover.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Easy to Grow
- Shade
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- 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)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 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:
- Star
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Clusters of white flowers with short to no spurs appear in April to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The compound, medium green leaves with heart-shaped to triangular-shaped leaflets on wiry stems are red tinge in spring, green in summer, deep red in fall.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Wiry red stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Rabbits
