Epimedium franchetii 'Brimstone Butterfly'
barrenwort 'Brimstone Butterfly'
A clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial 45-60cm high, with pinnate leaves, evergreen in mild winters, semi-evergreen in cold winters, formed of three long, narrowly ovate, spiny-edged and sharply tipped leaflets, which emerge tinged with pink and mature to mid-green, and branched spikes up to 45cm long of spidery flowers, of pale yellow sepals and long-spurred, greenish yellow petals, from early spring to early summer; Epimedium leaves may be used for their nests by leaf-cutting bees
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | Green Yellow | Pink Green | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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, humus-rich, moist but well-drained 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
- Garden edging
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
- Ground cover
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
Get involved
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