Epimedium ecalcaratum
spurless barrenwort
A clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial 30-65cm high, with evergreen pinnate leaves of three, five or seven ovate or almost rounded, spiny-edged leaflets, each 1.5-4cm long, which emerge green and light bronze and mature to bright green, and long, dark red stems, held well above the leaves, carrying spurless, bell-shaped, bright yellow flowers, each up to 1cm across and with tiny dark bronze-red sepals, from mid-spring to late spring; Epimedium leaves may be used for their nests by leaf-cutting bees
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | Yellow | Bronze Green | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- 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
Correct
- Plant range
- W China
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 seed, sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as they are ripe in late summer; 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
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
- Ground cover
- Garden edging
- 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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