Epimedium x perralchicum 'Fröhnleiten'
Spring is a magical time when so many plants emerge from their winter dormancy to produce a show of flowers. None is more exciting than Epimedium x perralchicum 'Fröhnleiten' when its thin, wiry flowering stems uncurl from the base of the dormant plant and produce small, deep yellow flowers with prominent anthers. As the flowers begin to fade the fresh new foliage emerges which has bright, coppery red shading between the conspicuous green veins, producing a dazzling effect.
This Epimedium grows in a wide range of conditions and tolerates a shady location underneath a tree where it makes effective groundcover. Find it at RHS Garden Hyde Hall around the Upper Pond. Epimedium is evergreen, but in late winter the previous season’s foliage should be cut back so the emerging flowers can be seen to their full glory.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Barrenwort, bishop's mitre
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Height & spread
- Berberidaceae
- Form
- Clump-forming rhizomatous perennial
- Soil
- Fertile, moist soil
- Aspect
- Partial shade
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
Epimedium
Epimediums are found in two main areas of the northern hemisphere, one being the Mediterranean, where four species grow in light woodland and shady, rocky places and the other being temperate east Asia. There are 33 species from China, four from Japan and one from Kashmir, where they grow in similar situations to the western group but require more shade and moisture.
All the species are hardy, semi-evergreen to evergreen clump-forming rhizomatous perennials retaining their leaves throughout the winter. In spring the fresh green foliage is often tinged with pink, bronze or red. In summer the leaves are deep green, turning to rich tints of yellow, red and bronze in autumn.
Small saucer to cup-shaped flowers are borne from spring to early summer in various colours including yellow, white, pink, red and purple.
The name Epimedium comes from epi, upon, and Media, the country of Medes, south-west of the Caspian Sea. It was first used by the Greek herbalist Dioscorides in the first century AD.
Despite being named by a herbalist and appearing in several herbals Epimedium was not widely used in the west. The Oriental species have been used medicinally for centuries. In modern Chinese herbalism several species are still used to treat aliments including paralysis of the legs and high blood pressure, while in Japan they are used to treat hypertension.
Epimedium x perralchicum 'Fröhnleiten'
E. x perralchicum is a robust, evergreen hybrid with glossy, deep green leaves which are an attractive bronze when young. Bright yellow flowers up to 2cm (3/4in) across are produced in spring, showing above the foliage for some time before leaf growth tends to cover them up.
Named by Professor William Stearn in 1938, Epimedium x perralchicum was found growing at Wisley in a planting made some time between 1878 and 1902 by the former owner George Fergusson Wilson.
The hybrid was distinct from the surrounding plants of E. perralderianum and E. pinnatum subsp. colchicum, Stearn noticing that 'most of them agree exactly with neither E. perralderianum nor E. pinnatum subsp. colchicum, but combine in various ways their features'.
'Fröhnleiten' is a German cultivar selected by Heinz Klose which has bigger flowers.
Cultivation
- Epimedium x perralchicum tolerates dry soils in sun or semi-shade but will produce fewer flowers under these conditions. On moister soil it will tolerate more sun.
- For the best display of foliage and flowers clip back the old leaves in late winter or early spring before the flower spikes have formed.
- Where frosts are prolonged or severe provide a deep winter mulch to protect the rhizomes close to the surface.
- Mulch and feed regularly.
- Divide and replant tight clumps every three to five years to ensure good foliage and flower displays.
- Vine weevils are the worst pest, attacking the roots in particular. Slugs, snails and rabbits will also browse on the young growth.
Propagation
- Propagate by division in autumn when roots can establish quickly and the foliage is tougher and less prone to damage. Young leaves are brittle and easily snap off.
AGM
The RHS Herbaceous Plant Committee awarded Epimedium x perralchicum an Award of Garden Merit and described it as:
'Evergreen perennial to 40cm tall, forming a mat of leaves divided into 3-5 spiny-edged, ovate leaflets. Open sprays of bright yellow flowers 15mm wide.'