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Fairy wings 'Niveum' Epimedium x youngianum 'Niveum'

Phonetic Spelling
ep-ih-MEE-dee-um yun-ghee-AH-num NIH-vee-um
Description

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:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#drought tolerant#white flowers#shade garden#showy leaves#fall interest#rabbit resistant#erosion control#herbaceous#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#rock garden#walkway planting#compact habit#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#shallow soil tolerant#heavy shade tolerant#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#drought tolerant#white flowers#shade garden#showy leaves#fall interest#rabbit resistant#erosion control#herbaceous#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#rock garden#walkway planting#compact habit#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#shallow soil tolerant#heavy shade tolerant#woodland
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Wiry red stems
  • 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