Epimedium pinnatum subsp. colchicum 'Black Sea'
barrenwort 'Black Sea'
A deciduous, rhizomatous perennial, to 30cm in height and 60cm spread, with attractive, red-tinted young foliage in spring, turning to mid-green and finally deep red, almost black in autumn. The small flowers, around 2cm wide, are a translucent orange with primrose yellow inner petals borne delicately on wiry, red stems
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Orange Yellow | Green Red | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Black Red | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Genus
Epimedium are rhizomatous perennials with evergreen or deciduous, ternately or pinnately divided leaves, and open sprays of small, bowl-shaped flowers, often with prominent spurs, in mid to late spring
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial shade; shelter from cold, dry winds
Propagation
Propagate by division in autumn or after flowering
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Rock garden
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Ground cover
Pruning
Cut back old foliage in late winter or early spring for the best display of new foliage and flowers
Pests
May be susceptible to vine weevil
Diseases
May be affected by a virus
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