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Herbaceous Perennial

Epimedium grandiflorum f. violaceum

violet-flowered barrenwort

A clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial 30cm high, with deciduous, pinnate leaves, 30cm long, formed of usually nine ovate to heart-shaped, spiny-edged leaflets, which emerge flushed with purplish bronze and mature to light green, and flowers of lilac-pink sepals and paler lilac-pink petals with white spurs, in spring; Epimedium leaves may be used for their nests by leaf-cutting bees

Synonyms

Epimedium grandiflorum 'Violet Seedling'
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Violacea'
see moreEpimedium grandiflorum lilac seedling

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or South–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Berberidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
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: Correct
Plant range: Japan S Manchuria N Korea

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained and preferably slightly acidic soil in partial shade, with shelter from cold, drying winds; where frosts are prolonged or severe, spread an organic mulch such as leaf mould or composted bark to protect plants over winter

Propagation

Propagate by division in autumn or after flowering; or by root cuttings of rhizomes, kept under glass in winter, and planted out after all danger of frost has passed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Ground cover
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required, but cutting back in late winter or early spring, before flower spikes form, will improve appearance

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil

Diseases

May be affected by mosaic virus diseases and fungal leaf spots

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