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Herbaceous Perennial

Epimedium × rubrum 'Sweetheart'

red barrenwort 'Sweetheart'

A semi-evergreen perennial to 30cm tall with heart-shaped to rounded leaves that emerge heavily-flushed and edged with red in spring, maturing to green and often turning reddish-green in autumn and winter. Loose sprays of flowers are borne on upright stems in spring and comprise pinkish-red outer petals surrounding creamy-yellow inner petals

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Clay
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Cream Yellow Pink Red Green Red
Summer Green
Autumn Green Red
Winter Green Red
Position
  • Full shade
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Berberidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
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 full or partial shade; shelter from cold, drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Cut back old foliage in late winter before new flower stems emerge for the best display of new foliage and flowers

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevils, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to a virus

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